Conrad meets Modi in Delhi, presents report card on devpt

Shillong: Chief minister Conrad K’ongkal Sangma presented a “report card” on the development works in the state to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Thursday and sought the PM’s support for the New Shillong Township scheme and other projects.“Today I met the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modiji. Apart from congratulating him on the elections that were concluded recently, I also apprised him of development works and how the state is doing,” the CM said in a media statement after meeting the PM.“I gave a small presentation to him and he was very happy to see the different kind of works that are happening in the state. He was especially very pleased to see that the overall development budget for the state in the last few years has gone up by more than double in the last five years,” the CM said.He added, “I also shared with him the vision that we have for the state in the coming five years, the different targets that we have set for the state and sought his intervention and support in helping us and guiding us, supporting us to be able to achieve those targets and goals that we have in the next five years,” Sangma said.“I also shared with him the vision of having of a new Shillong township and administrative city, where we are planning to put up a new secretariat and shared with him the plan, the rough designs and also asked for his support to make sure that the project moves forward. He was very happy to see this development and assured of all possible support from his side,” the CM said on the outcome of his meeting with the PM today.The CM also met Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and briefed her about the different projects going on in the state through the capital investment fund.

Top US diplomat Blinken met with Qatari prime minister -state department

US Secretary of State Blinken and Qatari Prime Minister al-Thani discussed coordination on securing release of hostages held by Hamas, preventing spread of conflict in Gaza; Blinken appreciated Qatar's efforts and recent humanitarian pause.

No GST dues pending, some states have not submitted AG's report: Nirmala Sitharaman

The Centre clarifies that no pending GST dues from any state are before them, as some states have not submitted the AG's authenticated certificate for fund release. The narrative of pending GST dues from the Centre is a misnomer, as states have not submitted the AG's report. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman responds to questions in Rajya Sabha, stating that without the AG's certification, funds cannot be released. Specific states like Goa, Karnataka, and West Bengal have not submitted AG's reports, resulting in the withholding of their GST dues. The issue of simplifying the GST filing procedure is raised, and Sitharaman assures that the GST Council discusses these difficulties and periodically simplifies the forms accordingly. Action has been taken against the misuse of authority by local officers.

NWDA: Godavari basin states to meet on river linking project

The NWDA is convening a meeting with the Godavari basin states to finalise the roadmap for the Godavari-Krishna-Pennar link project. It plans to divert 247 tmc ft of water from the Godavari during the flood season, taking 2.2 tmc ft per day between June and October. Additionally, NWDA wants to take 141 tmc ft of water from unutilised water from Chhattisgarh quota. The previous Chhattisgarh government refused permission, but discussions are ongoing. The Centre must address objections raised by AP and Telangana before signing the MoU.