Shillong: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday reiterated his government’s commitment to securing a separate Meghalaya cadre of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), expressing optimism that the long-pending proposal—pursued since 2019—would soon materialise.
Addressing the annual conference of the Meghalaya Civil Service Officers’ Association (MCSOA) in Shillong, Sangma said reforms within the Meghalaya Civil Service (MCS) continue to be a core focus area for his administration.
“I have been pursuing the creation of a separate Meghalaya cadre since 2019, and I am hopeful this will soon be achieved. Reforms for the MCS are a priority, just as they are for other services,” Sangma said.
Commending MCS officers for their dedication, the chief minister underscored the government’s commitment to strengthening the state’s administrative framework.
“At the end of the day, we are all working for the same goal — to serve the people of our state. No work, no policy and no decision is meaningful unless we remind ourselves that our purpose is to make a positive difference in people’s lives,” he said.
Sangma urged officers to remain guided by purpose and service, noting that “positions and ranks will change, but the purpose must remain constant.”
Emphasising empathy and initiative in governance, he added, “India will truly begin to change when politicians learn to say ‘no’ and officers learn to say ‘yes.’”
Highlighting Meghalaya’s rapid economic growth, the chief minister said the state currently ranks as the second fastest-growing economy in the country, recording over 10 per cent growth and expected to touch 12–14 per cent in the coming years.
MCSOA president Ashish M. Sangma expressed gratitude to the chief minister for his continued support and urged the government to recognise the MCS as the premier state service.
He also called for timely promotions and an increase in the retirement age from 58 to 60 years.
