Shillong, August 28: In a significant move to advance the Meghalaya Mission 2028 and enhance technological capabilities within the state, the Department of Information Technology & Communication, Government of Meghalaya, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Institute for Smart Government (NISG). The signing ceremony took place at the Additional Secretariat building in Shillong and was attended by key officials from both the Meghalaya government and NISG.
The MoU, witnessed by prominent officials including Sampath Kumar IAS, Development Commissioner and Principal Secretary, and Pravin Bakshi IAS, Commissioner & Secretary IT&C, marks a strategic partnership aimed at promoting technological innovation, employment opportunities in the IT sector, and the development of a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence in Emerging Technologies in Meghalaya.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma highlighted Meghalaya’s role as a key promoter and shareholder of NISG, expressing the state government’s intent to utilize NISG’s services as a primary nodal agency under the Department of Information Technology and Communication. He emphasized that the partnership would focus on enhancing the state’s technological capabilities and creating employment opportunities for the youth in the IT sector.
As part of the MoU, NISG will facilitate industrial establishments for employment, lead collaborations with ministries, international financial and development agencies, and academic and research institutions. NISG will also support the development of action plans, assist Program Management Units (PMUs), and serve as a critical link between the State of Meghalaya and the Union Government.
Rajiv Bansal, Chief Executive Officer of NISG and former Secretary to the Government of India, noted that this partnership would help translate government goals and policy priorities into tangible actions. He emphasized the focus on smart governance and e-Governance capacity building, with special attention to artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies for the employees of the Government of Meghalaya.
Sampath Kumar, Development Commissioner and Principal Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, praised NISG for its continuous support in delivering public policy and technological interventions. He welcomed NISG’s strategic expertise, which will be extended to other departments to further enhance human capabilities in the state.