Shillong: The VPP-led Executive Committee in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has ruled out holding the Monolith Festival this year, citing financial limitations, but indicated that the cultural event may be revived in the future if conditions improve.
Chief Executive Member Winston Tony Lyngdoh told the House during the ongoing Budget Session that the council is currently in no position to organise the festival and would instead explore the possibility of hosting it in the coming years.
His remarks came while responding to a supplementary question raised by Nongpoh MDC Rona Khymdeit.
ALSO READ: Tripura’s first tea auction centre set for April launch, transport subsidy announced
Clarifying the council’s position, Lyngdoh said there is no proposal to replace the Monolith Festival with smaller cultural programmes, stressing that the Executive Committee does not intend to dilute the scale or significance of the event by breaking it into multiple activities aimed at showcasing Khasi traditions.
Responding to a separate question from Laban-Mawprem MDC Ricky Shullai, the CEM said earlier editions of the festival were funded through a combination of resources from the council and financial assistance from the state government.
However, he added that exact details regarding the proportion of funds contributed by the KHADC and the state government were not immediately available.
The most recent edition of the Monolith Festival was organised from March 7 to 9, 2024, during the tenure of the previous NPP-led Executive Committee.
