SHILLONG: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) today introduced a deficit budget of ₹16.92 lakh for the financial year 2026–27 on the opening day of its summer session, which is scheduled to last for three days.
Presenting the budget estimates, Executive Member in charge of Finance, Seiborlang Warbah, informed the House that the total estimated expenditure for the fiscal year has been pegged at ₹214,60,09,410, against an estimated revenue receipt of ₹214,43,16,760.
Warbah assured the House that the Executive Committee will continuously explore new avenues to enhance the council’s revenue generation, streamline its overall operations, and strictly scrutinize expenditures to ensure smooth financial administration.
Urging the house to pass the full budget, Warbah noted that the ongoing three-month Vote on Account is set to expire on June 30.
He explained that since the temporary financial arrangement is ending at the end of this month, presenting and passing the comprehensive budget for 2026–27 is essential to ensure the uninterrupted day-to-day functioning of the council.
Before delving into the finer details of the fiscal allocations, Warbah apprised the House of critical measures being taken by the local administration to safeguard the traditional lands belonging to various Raids (clans/community lands), Himas (traditional states), and villages.
He stated that the Executive Committee was compelled to step in and frame strict regulations for Raid lands after observing that vast tracts of community lands, spanning dozens of hectares, were increasingly being alienated and transferred to private individuals and commercial corporations.
Warning that this trend poses a grave threat to the future generations of the indigenous community—particularly the poor and underprivileged who rely on these lands for farming and housing—Warbah announced that the Executive Committee has decided to issue a notification to enforce immediate regulations on the allotment of Raid lands.
He clarified, however, that this new notification will not apply to lands that have already been acquired by either the Central or the State Government.
In a bid to modernize land administration amidst a sharp rise in applications for Title Rights Certificates, the budget has proposed the appointment of a specialized Land Recording Officer proficient in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
This officer will handle the implementation of the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) alongside the enforcement of the KHAD (Regulation and Administration of Land) Act, 2021.
Addressing internal revenue generation, Warbah highlighted that the Executive Committee has recently released a bilingual pamphlet detailing the provisions of the Meghalaya Professions, Trades, Callings and Employment Taxation Act, 1947. The initiative aims to raise awareness among taxpayers and improve tax compliance, with a special focus on workers in the unorganized sector.
Turning to central financial assistance, the Finance Executive Member revealed that the 16th Finance Commission has allocated a total sum of ₹1,479 crore for the Rural Local Bodies of Meghalaya spanning the period from 2025–26 to 2030–31.
Out of this pool, the KHADC’s designated share for the 2026–27 fiscal year stands at ₹85.50 crore, which will be released under an 80:20 distribution ratio split between Basic and Performance Grants.
Additionally, Warbah mentioned that the council is still awaiting the release of a pending sum of ₹12.15 crore, which constitutes the second installment of the 15th Finance Commission’s Untied Grant for the year 2022–23.
Concluding his budget address, Warbah shared updates on environmental initiatives, revealing that the KHADC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IORA Ecological Solutions Private Limited.
The partnership is slated to focus on extensive afforestation drives, forest regeneration programs, and the development of sustainable carbon credit projects across the council’s jurisdiction.
