Shillong: The Meghalaya government on Friday pushed through a set of major policy decisions, including clearing fresh land acquisition for the New Shillong Township and ending a long-standing confusion over recruitment norms for Group D posts.
Officials said the Cabinet has approved the purchase of 35 acres at Tynring, a move aimed at creating a dedicated corridor between the Administrative City and the Knowledge City in New Shillong.
The proposed stretch will also accommodate the planned shifting of the Central Jail from its current site.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the expansion is crucial for the township’s long-term planning.
“The land will ensure seamless connectivity between key zones as New Shillong continues to take shape,” he said.
The Cabinet also settled a decades-old dispute over Group D appointments by amending Rule 6(D) of the Meghalaya Ministerial District Establishment Service Rules, 2017.
Conflicting government memorandums issued in 1996 and 2017 had created uncertainty over whether half of the vacancies should go to Regular Casual Workers (RCWs) or be opened to direct applicants.
Sangma said the government has decided to align recruitment with the 1996 memorandum.
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“Fifty per cent of the posts will now be reserved for Regular Casual Workers, bringing clarity to the process,” he said.
In a financial decision, the Cabinet approved amendments to the Meghalaya Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, raising the fiscal deficit cap from 3 per cent to 3.5 per cent of the state’s GSDP.
The enhanced limit will provide the government with additional borrowing room to support development projects.
The Cabinet also endorsed the reappointment of Justice Shivaji Pandey as President of the Meghalaya State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and approved new Service Rules for the body, allowing it to form its own recruitment board.
