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The business of coal using the corridor of Barak Valley in a clandestine and illegal manner is like a jigsaw puzzle in which syndicate with long arms and political backing from all hues is involved. The business starts from the coal mines of Meghalaya and extends up to the border of Bangladesh and even beyond. In fact, the spot study along the National Highway 6, reveals how the money churning trade flourishes in collusion with police on both sides. The way it goes on unhindered, raises many an intriguing question, who are involved, can anyone guess.

From all reckoning, Barak Valley corridor has emerged as a laissez faire for the fortune hunters. Even the Chief Minister of Assam failed to dent the muscle wielding tactics of the syndicate men. At his initiative, the mercurial trade was taken up for investigation by CBI which resulted in the arrest of kingpin and two others. After that, everything was back to square one and there hangs the tale.

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East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner transferred

East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Matsiewdor War Nongbri has been transferred ahead of Lok Sabha poll which to be held on 11^th April in Meghalaya. According to sources, Pravin Bakshi will be appointed as the new deputy commissioner. Sources said that the transfers have been ordered in view of the recent directions issued by the Election Commission of India.

It was informed that the Election Commission recently has directed all State Governments to transfer officials posted in their home districts and those who have spent three years in a district in the last four years. It is usual for the poll panel to issue such directions ahead of Lok Sabha or assembly polls to ensure that officials do not interfere in the election process in any way and the exercise remains free and fair.

The Commission made it clear that though large number of employees would be drafted for election duty, it does not want to carry out large-scale dislocation of the state machinery. It said the transfer directive is not applicable to those not directly connected with the elections. The January 16 direction made it clear that officials against whom it had recommended disciplinary action in the past in any election should not be assigned poll-related duty

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The United Democratic Party (UDP) of Meghalaya became the third party after Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Naga People's Front (NPF) to quit the Northeast Democratic Alliance (NEDA) over the Citizenship Amendment Bill. The decision was announced by party working President Paul Lyngdoh in Shillong.

The decision was taken after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah categorically said at a party rally in Assam that his party would revive the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill if it comes back to power in the country. His remarks provoked protests from various political parties and indigenous groups in the Northeast. United Democratic Party, Vice President, Allantry Franklin Dkhar said that the decision of the UDP to come out of the NEDA was taken on February 10^th after eleven regional political parties from across the North Eastern States met in Guwahati on January 29^th which unanimously resolved to oppose the Bill.

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Rs 1,323 crore budget before 109-2020

Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma today presented an Rs 1,323 crore deficit budget for the year 2019-20. According to the Chief Minister, the fiscal deficit budget of Rs 1,323 crore is around 3.65 percent of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).

Presenting his second budget of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) led-Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), Conrad estimated the state’s total receipts for 2019-20 at Rs 16,199 crore, of which the revenue receipts are estimated at Rs 14,438 crore and capital receipts at Rs 1,761 criteria.

The Chief Minister said that excluding borrowings, the total receipts are estimated to be Rs 14, 463 crore. On the expenditure side, he estimated the total expenditure at Rs 16, 202 crore during 2019-20, of which the revenue expenditure is estimated at Rs 13, 700 crore and capital expenditure at Rs 2, 502 crore. Conrad said that excluding repayment of loans of Rs 416 crore, the estimated total expenditure is Rs 15, 786 crore. He also said that the interest payment during 2019-20 is estimated at Rs 746 crore and pension payment at Rs 855 crore.

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The Bodoland Territorial Area Districts celebrated the 17^th Bodoland Day to mark the signing of the Bodoland Accord.  The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) is a territorial council that was established in the Assam state of India according to the Memorandum of Settlement on 10 February 2003. Hagrama Mohilary was sworn in as the Chief Executive Member (CEM) on 7 December 2003. Since then, he is scaling the Bodoland towards new heights.