Shillong, Dec 9: The Meghalaya Cabinet, in its meeting on Monday, approved several significant policies and amendments aimed at bolstering the state’s infrastructure, governance, and services. Among the major decisions was the approval of the Operation & Maintenance Policy & Manual for the Rural Water Supply System under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). Chief Minister Conrad Sangma emphasized that the JJM has led to the establishment of extensive infrastructure across the state, which now requires maintenance as mandated by the Government of India.
In another key move, the Cabinet approved an amendment to the Meghalaya Street Vendors Protection of Livelihoods and Regulation Scheme (Street Vending Rules) 2022. Chief Minister Sangma said, the duration of the Town Vending Committee before the elections as per the rules in place by the Urban Department was valid for one year which had to be extended in order to allow elections to be held. The Amendment proposed is to permit the Committee to continue till elections take place.
The Cabinet also approved the extension of the tenure of B Giri as Judicial Member of the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission. Additionally, an amendment to the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion Facilitation Act was approved, which will now allow the Invest Meghalaya Agency (IMA) to approve projects and special subsidies exceeding ₹100 crores at the Chief Minister’s level, with final approval from the Cabinet. The amendment also enables IMA to purchase land for investment projects, a provision previously unavailable to the agency.
To honor the contributions of Home Guards and Civil Defence personnel, the Cabinet approved the introduction of the Governor’s Civil Defence Medal. Furthermore, the Cabinet gave the green light to the introduction of Science streams in five government colleges—Sohra College, Williamnagar Government College, Baghmara College, Mawphlang, and Mahendragaj College—in line with the National Education Policy (NEP).
The meeting also saw the approval of the adoption of Service Rules for officials of the Meghalaya Drugs Control Wing. The Wing has been in place for close to 50 years without Service Rules. “Cabinet cleared the Rules today,” the CM said.
The Cabinet also approved the Meghalaya Commissionerate of Food & Safety Officers Enforcement & Technical Subordinate Staff Service Rules 2024