Shillong, January 17 : The 3rd Cabinet Retreat 2026 concluded today at Orchid Resort, Mawkasiang, New Shillong, with the Government of Meghalaya reaffirming its focus on economic transformation and inter-departmental collaboration under Mission 10 and Vision 2032. The two-day event, chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, brought together Cabinet Ministers, senior officials, Deputy Commissioners, and grassroots officers to discuss strategies for inclusive growth and governance reform.
Day 2 centred on “10 Opportunities” under Vision 2032, charting a clear roadmap for Meghalaya’s economic progress through innovation, infrastructure, and investment.
In his keynote address, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma outlined Meghalaya’s ambitious growth targets — achieving a $10 billion economy by 2028, scaling up to $16 billion by 2032, and reaching $100 billion by 2047. He emphasised that these milestones require “coordinated, actionable planning” across all departments.
“Larger policies and decisions will always be there, but it is the positive impact you can have on even one individual’s life every day that is truly meaningful,” he said. “It is the small differences we make that matter more.”
The retreat discussed strengthening Meghalaya’s agricultural ecosystem through technology, policy, and institutional reforms. Plans are underway to formulate the Meghalaya Agriculture Policy 2026, which will serve as a roadmap for sustainable growth. The Chief Minister highlighted agro-tourism as a promising opportunity to combine rural development with cultural promotion.
He also called for greater use of climate-smart technologies to enhance crop resilience and reduce losses. The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department will deploy 171 rapid response teams to monitor livestock health, improving local production and reducing import dependency.
Deliberations on youth development highlighted the Sports Action Plan 2025 and 303 ongoing projects worth ₹2,000 crore to prepare for the 2027 National Games, aiming to create a youth-centric sports economy.
The Chief Minister lauded the success of PRIME Meghalaya, which has incubated over 500 entrepreneurs, reporting a 25% increase in revenue post-incubation. Under CM-ELEVATE, over 3,800 beneficiaries will be supported with a budget of ₹130 crore. The State also plans to launch a Startup Policy and Venture Capital Fund to encourage private investments and scale innovative enterprises.
The Tourism, Arts and Culture Department unveiled plans to generate 1.25 lakh jobs by 2028. A key initiative under the CM Meghalaya Homestay Mission 2025 will establish 3,000 homestay units with 70% financial subsidy. The Chief Minister noted that profiling tourists to understand changing travel trends will help Meghalaya tap into new markets seeking curated, experience-based tourism.
On urban development, the Urban Affairs Department presented a decongestion plan for Shillong, including traffic restructuring and the organised relocation of hawkers. The model will be replicated in Tura and Jowai to improve city spaces and enhance public convenience.
Grassroots innovation featured prominently in the retreat. East Garo Hills reported the transformation of Anganwadi Centres into early learning and health hubs through fund convergence under MGNREGA. Meanwhile, South Garo Hills’ Purakhasia Block showcased community-driven digital libraries to combat low literacy rates.
In his concluding remarks, Chief Secretary Dr. Shakil P. Ahammed hailed the retreat as a “significant milestone for inter-departmental collaboration and cross-learning.” He praised innovative field presentations by officers and encouraged departments to adopt a “Citizen First” approach in implementation.
Closing the two-day session, the Chief Minister urged officers to take a “leap of faith” and translate ideas into action. “Having a vision is not enough — it requires collective effort,” he said, reaffirming his government’s commitment to a people-centric, performance-driven approach.
The 3rd Cabinet Retreat 2026 thus concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and a clear blueprint for unlocking Meghalaya’s economic and social potential in the decade ahead.
