State pollution control board show-causes Star Cement unit
SHILLONG, Dec 19: The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) has issued a show-cause notice to M/S Star Cement Limited, granting seven days from the date of receipt of the notice to explain why actions under Section 33(A) of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and Section 31(A) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, should not be initiated against the unit. In the notice, the MSPCB also warned that failure to respond will result in ex-parte action. MSPCB member secretary GH Chyrmang stated that it had come to the Board’s attention on December 19, 2024, that M/s Star Cement Limited had violated the terms and conditions of its Consent to Operate and its subsequent renewals. The violation, according to the MSPCB, included the direct discharge of emissions from its unit since December 16. The notice further highlighted that the Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) at the cement plant were found offline, indicating an intentional breach of Section 21 of the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and Sections 25 and 26 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, alongside the Board’s Consent to Operate conditions.
Meghalaya Police makes admit cards for PET available
SHILLONG, Dec 19: The Central Recruitment Board of Meghalaya Police has officially announced that admit cards for the upcoming Physical Efficiency Test (PET) have been made available for download. Candidates appearing for the test, which is scheduled to be conducted at four locations across the state, can access their admit cards from the official Meghalaya Police website, www.megpolice.gov.in. The PET will take place at the 1st MLP Battalion in Mawiong, Shillong, the 2nd MLP Battalion in Goeragre, Tura, the 4th MLP Battalion in Sohpian, Nongstoin, and the 5th MLP Battalion in Samanda, Williamnagar. To ensure a smooth process, candidates are urged to download their admit cards promptly and verify the details provided. In addition, the Central Recruitment Board has announced provisions for candidates who need to reschedule their PET date. Applicants wishing to change their test date must submit a formal application to the Member Secretary of the Board. This can be done either by visiting the Central Recruitment Board office in Mawroh, Shillong, or by sending an email to [email protected] along with all necessary documents. Notably, the candidates are allowed to change their PET date only once, and the request must be supported by valid reasons. The final date for submitting such applications is January 2, 2025, after which no further changes will be entertained. Candidates are also advised to regularly check the Meghalaya Police website for updates regarding the recruitment process.
Govt assures help to WJH families affected by hailstorm last month
JOWAI, Dec 19: Local MLA and MUDA Chairman, Wailadmiki Shylla, on Thursday assured the government’s commitment to helping families affected by a hailstorm on November in West Jaintia Hills. Speaking at a programme organised by the Deputy Commissioner’s office in West Jaintia Hills to support the families whose homes were damaged by the hailstorm, Shylla explained that relief funds were distributed based on damage assessments with Rs 4,000 allocated per household. Although this amount may seem lower than expected, he assured it would provide some immediate relief. The distribution process is expected to be completed by the second week of January 2025. Additionally, farmers whose crops were damaged by the hailstorm will soon receive Rs 8,500 per hectare, with the amount increasing based on the extent of land affected. The proposal for this relief is currently being sent for government approval.Additional Deputy Commissioner HML Kynta reported that five villages — Iongnoh, Pynthor Lyntein, Muphlang, Mustem, and Madan Tyrpait — were impacted with 113 households identified for relief. A total of Rs 4.52 lakh will be disbursed via direct online transfers.
Boy band Blue’s concert postponed
SHILLONG, Dec 19: The much-anticipated New Year’s Eve concert by the popular British boy band Blue has been postponed. Tickets for the event have been withdrawn from BookMyShow, and the band’s promotional posts on their official social media accounts have been removed. It remains unclear whether the concert will be rescheduled for a later date or canceled entirely. A widely circulated theory suggests that the concert may have failed to meet ticket sales expectations, leading to the sudden postponement.
Theft bid foiled in city; duo held
SHILLONG, Dec 19: Two people were apprehended by alert off-duty Guardsmen of the Meghalaya Secretariat Home Guards while attempting to steal a generator from behind the 3rd Secretariat premises. The duo were detected by guardsmen Lingbirth Arengh and Darmiki Langstang. The suspects were later handed over to the Sadar Police Station for further action.