The Meghalaya Cabinet on August 26 approved a series of measures covering government recruitment, migrant worker regulations, land management and disaster response, while Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced the State’s demands for increased central support for development projects and the 2027 National Games.
The Cabinet, chaired by Sangma, decided to remove interviews from the recruitment process for non-technical Group C government posts from January 1, 2027. Interviews would continue for technical Group C posts, with the Personnel Department to identify and notify the positions covered under each category.
The Cabinet also approved a Standard Operating Procedure for recruitment through District Selection Committees to ensure greater uniformity and transparency. Recruitment officials would receive training on the SOP before it was extended to other recruitment bodies.
Amendments to the Meghalaya Identification, Registration (Safety & Security) of Migrant Workers Rules, 2020, were also approved. The changes incorporated observations made by the Governor and clarified the roles and powers of officials, inspection procedures, enforcement measures and applicable penalties.
The Cabinet approved the purchase of around 15 acres at Mawten in South West Khasi Hills for a district land bank at a cost of Rs 2.19 crore. The land, located about 6 km from the Mawkyrwat district headquarters, would support the development of administrative infrastructure and government facilities.
The Cabinet also approved the Meghalaya Flood Plain Zoning Rules, 2026, to regulate development and activities in flood-prone areas. Sangma said the rules would facilitate implementation of the Act and strengthen flood management and risk reduction.
In another decision, the State notified thunderstorms and strong winds, excluding cyclones, as a state/local disaster. Sangma said the move would allow communities affected by such weather events to access relief through the State’s disaster-response mechanisms, subject to applicable norms.
Meanwhile, Sangma said Meghalaya had sought an increase in its allocation under Externally Aided Projects from Rs 5,000 crore to Rs 10,000 crore initially, with a long-term demand of Rs 15,000 crore. He said he had raised the matter with Union DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia during his recent visit to New Delhi.
The Chief Minister also sought financial and infrastructure support from the DoNER Ministry for the 2027 National Games, which Meghalaya is scheduled to host. Scindia assured him that the request would be examined, while detailed proposals would be submitted after the Assembly session.
Sangma further said he had renewed the State’s demand for granting the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) in Shillong the status of an Institute of National Importance. He also raised the issue of expanding employment opportunities for local youth at the institute with Union Health Minister J P Nadda.
Sangma said the measures and demands formed part of the State government’s efforts to strengthen governance, improve infrastructure and secure greater central support for development, sports and healthcare.
