Shillong: The Meghalaya state cabinet has announced significant changes during its latest meeting in Sohra, aligning with its initiative to hold meetings across various parts of the state.
Among the key highlights is an upward revision of minimum wages and amendments to labour and administrative rules.
The cabinet approved a hike in daily wages across all skill categories. Unskilled workers will now earn Rs. 525 per day, up from Rs. 419.
Semi-skilled workers will receive Rs. 565, compared to the earlier Rs. 474.
Skilled workers’ wages have been raised to Rs. 605 from Rs. 530, while highly skilled workers will now earn Rs. 654, up from Rs. 586.
This revision underscores the government’s commitment to improving the livelihoods of workers statewide.
In a progressive step, the cabinet amended the Meghalaya Factories Rules 1980 to allow women to work night shifts, aligning with central government directives to enhance workplace inclusivity.
Meghalaya is now the second state in the Northeast, after Assam, to implement this provision.
Employers hiring women for night shifts must ensure stringent safety measures, including the installation of CCTV cameras and robust safety monitoring mechanisms, to create a secure working environment.
The cabinet also approved the regularisation of 850 additional ad hoc employees appointed before 2007.
These employees had been excluded from the 2022 regularisation list, which included 3,000 ad hoc appointees, following a Supreme Court directive.
Additionally, the meeting addressed several other key matters. Financial powers were delegated to Executive Engineers in the Fisheries Department to expedite small projects.
The cabinet approved the Meghalaya Ceiling on Government Guarantees Bills 2025, facilitating easier loan access for public sector undertakings, statutory boards, and cooperatives.
Amendments to the Meghalaya Building and Other Construction Workers Rules 2008 were also approved, ensuring better welfare benefits such as medical aid, education support, and pensions for registered labourers.
The Assured Career Progression Scheme (ACPS) was relaxed, allowing government employees to receive financial benefits without creating additional posts or affecting seniority.
An amendment to the Meghalaya Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act 2006 was passed, setting the state’s borrowing limit at 3.5% of GSDP for 2024-25, as recommended by the 15th Finance Commission.
The cabinet approved direct land purchases for the implementation of the New Shillong Water Supply Scheme Phase 1 in East Khasi Hills and West Jaintia Hills.
Government employees undergoing organ transplants will now be entitled to an additional six months of leave.
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Preparations for Republic Day celebrations were finalised, including the list of dignitaries for events across district and sub-divisional headquarters.
Finally, the Meghalaya Civil Service (Commutation of Pension) Rules 1992 were repealed, simplifying the pension process.
These decisions highlight the government’s focus on governance reforms, worker welfare, and administrative efficiency.
Updates on the implementation and impact of these measures are expected in the coming months.
