SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Cabinet today approved several significant proposals concerning land acquisition for the New Shillong Township, amendments to service rules for government staff, fiscal policy reform, and the reappointment of key personnel to the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
State Minister and Government Spokesperson, Wailadmiki Shylla, briefed the media on the key outcomes.
Land Acquisition for Cities & Jail Relocation
The cabinet has approved the purchase of 35 acres of land in Tynring, New Shillong Township, for a major infrastructure project.
Project Goal: To construct a new road that will connect the upcoming ‘Administrative City’ and the ‘Knowledge City’.
Jail Relocation: This land acquisition is also intended to “pave the way for the relocation of the Central Jail from its present location to New Shillong.”
Group D Recruitment Quota for Casual Workers
The Cabinet resolved a long-standing recruitment controversy by approving an amendment to Rule 6(D) of the ‘Meghalaya Ministerial District Establishment Service Rules, 2017’.
The Minister noted confusion caused by two conflicting Office Memorandums (OMs)—one from 1996 that allotted 50% of Group D posts to Regular Casual Workers (RCWs), and a 2017 OM that mandated 100% direct recruitment.
The Cabinet decided to follow the 1996 OM. The amendment now mandates that 50% of vacant Group D posts will be filled from the pool of ‘Regular Casual Workers’ (RCWs).
Fiscal Responsibility and Borrowing Limit
A major financial decision was the approval of an amendment to the ‘Meghalaya Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2006’.
Following guidelines from the Government of India, the amendment will raise the fiscal deficit ceiling for the State from the current 3% to 3.5% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
This increase will allow the State to avail itself of additional borrowing to support its developmental and financial needs.
Consumer Commission Appointments and Rules
The Cabinet also approved several proposals related to the ‘Meghalaya State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission’.
The reappointment of the President, Justice Shivaji Pandey, was approved. His current term expires in December 2025, and he is eligible for another four-year term, subject to the age limit of 67 years.
The names proposed for appointment as new Members were also approved, including: Major Ynsambyntalang Nongsiej, Rupa Paul Choudhury, N. F. Kharshiing, and Bijoy A. Sangma.
New ‘Service Rules’ for the Commission were sanctioned. These rules will allow the Commission to establish its own ‘recruitment board’ to appoint its staff.
