Meghalaya will definitely celebrate its 50th anniversary of statehood on January 21, though the festivities may be a little muted due to the sudden rise in Covid-19 cases.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong informed the press today that the state government has decided to move forward with the celebrations. However, the number of attendees may be cut in light of the surge in coronavirus cases.
A review meeting was held today, following which Tynsong said that the Chief Secretary and Deputy Commissioners have been tasked with formulating detailed programmes.
“By next week, we will have a review again,” he said, adding that a final call will be made once the CS and DCs come back to the government with their planned programmes.
Meghalaya has already re-imposed several restrictions, including night curfew, odd-even vehicle arrangement in Shillong, a ban on public gatherings and limits on attendance of weddings and funerals as cases began to rise, so the government cannot be seen to throw a big celebratory bash on Meghalaya Day.
Meanwhile, Tynsong could give no information on whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been invited by the state government to attend the event, will be coming to Shillong. The government hopes to receive confirmation from the PM’s office next week.
The Deputy CM also informed that Meghalaya will up its levels of Covid-19 testing, as was instructed by the Centre yesterday. The government will also keep up its vaccination campaign.
