The Meghalaya government on December 20 announced the release of substantial funds across departments, including advance salary and pension payments to nearly 80,000 employees and retirees ahead of the Christmas festivities. The move is aimed at providing timely financial relief and stimulating economic activity during the festive season.
Officials said around 50,000 government employees and more than 30,000 pensioners received one-month advance payments. Casual and contractual workers were also covered under the special disbursement, extending the benefit to a wider section of the workforce.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, who also handles the Finance portfolio, conveyed Christmas and New Year greetings to the people of Meghalaya, a state with a predominantly Christian population. The advance release of funds was positioned as part of the government’s effort to ensure financial comfort for families during the holiday period.
According to official figures, ₹348.1 crore was released towards salaries, while ₹93.4 crore was allocated for pensions. An additional ₹9.7 crore was disbursed as wages and ₹4.1 crore for contractual workers. During the current financial year, the government has also released ₹255.5 crore to the three Autonomous District Councils to clear both existing and pending salary dues.
December’s expenditure also saw significant allocations towards contractor payments under various work categories. Funds amounting to ₹416.1 crore were released under Major Works, while Minor Works received ₹154.7 crore. The Public Works Department accounted for the largest share with ₹256.4 crore, followed by Urban Affairs at ₹102.5 crore, Public Health Engineering at ₹68.6 crore, Sports and Youth Affairs and the Power department with ₹60 crore each, and Health and Family Welfare at ₹14 crore.
Department-wise releases during the month totalled ₹664.1 crore, with Community and Rural Development receiving ₹102.9 crore, Power ₹101.2 crore, District Council Affairs ₹101 crore, Planning ₹80.9 crore, and Agriculture and Farmers Welfare ₹69.5 crore. Separately, ₹23 crore was disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer to 92,051 beneficiaries under the Focus+ scheme.
Officials said the advance disbursements are intended to ease financial pressures on employees and beneficiaries while boosting spending and economic momentum during the festive season.
