Shillong: The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) passed a 285.29-crore budget for the 2026-27 financial year on Friday. Council members also approved the Service Rules, 2026. This ends 74 years of operation without a formal framework. The rules aim to stop illegal appointments and unfair promotions. They now head to the Governor for final approval. The decision came on the ninth day of the 16th Special Budget Session.
Governance took center stage during heated debates. Rongrong MDC Rinaldo K. Sangma pushed a motion on administrative irregularities. Williamnagar TMC MDC Alphonsus R. Marak claimed the ruling bench previously dodged these talks by blaming party leadership. He noted that similar motions surfaced as far back as the 14th session.
Elsewhere, Meghalaya’s KC Lights vocal ensemble secured two gold medals at the 3rd Thailand International Choral Festival in Bangkok. Led by Brian N. Wallang, the group scored 84.55 in the Folksong category and 85.80 in the Teenage Choir category. They also earned a Special Jury Award for their opening performance of Oi Oi. Emmanuel Martin Marbaniang arranged the competition pieces. The group previously won the 2018 Grand Prix in Thailand and holds titles from Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka.
Shillong also celebrated local youth achievements at the 52nd Annual Cultural Competition held by the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Cultural Centre. Organizers awarded 253 prizes to students from 102 institutions. Chief Electoral Officer BDR Tiwari attended as chief guest. Swami Hitakamananda told the students, "True competition is not driven by envy but by the determination to surpass one’s own previous achievements."
Finally, PM SHRI KV AFS Laitkor Peak held its annual investiture ceremony on Friday. Chief Technical Officer Manish Srivastava inducted the new student leadership body for the 2026-27 session. Principal Mon Bahadur Chettri oversaw the swearing-in of the Apex School Council and house leaders.
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