Shillong, December 09 : The Meghalaya Cabinet, in its meeting held today, approved a series of major decisions spanning healthcare, judicial reforms, land administration and service rules—marking significant governance advancements for the State.
The Cabinet has formally recognized and validated the appointments of 221 bonded nurses and bonded paramedic staff who were appointed between 2008 and 2012. These appointments were initially slated for re-advertisement following a previous Cabinet resolution that categorised all post-2007 ad hoc appointments as requiring fresh recruitment.
However, after detailed consultations with the Health Department, review of records, and discussions with the affected nurses, the government confirmed that the appointments during this period had followed proper procedures. With the validation now approved, no fresh recruitment will be required, and the appointments stand fully recognized.
In a landmark move, the Cabinet approved the Meghalaya Mental Healthcare Rules, bringing the State’s mental health ecosystem under a formal regulatory and service framework for the first time. Until now, institutions involved in mental healthcare, rehabilitation and related services functioned without specific rules guiding their operations. The newly approved framework is expected to standardise services, improve accountability and ensure structured mental health governance across Meghalaya.
The Cabinet also approved the regularisation of excess areas on government lease lands, many of which are located in and around Shillong and are renewed on a 30-year cycle. Previously, renewals required extensive documentation and file movement to various government levels, causing long delays.
To streamline the process, the Cabinet has delegated most renewal-related powers to the Deputy Commissioners, ensuring quicker decisions, fewer bureaucratic layers and more efficient service delivery.
Approving recommendations from the judiciary, the Cabinet cleared amendments to both the Meghalaya Judicial Service Rules, 2006 and the Meghalaya Higher Judicial Service Rules, 2015.
The changes include updates to: Examination structure, Syllabus, Direct recruitment processes, Percentage of direct recruitment, Other related recruitment procedures, A key reform approved is the requirement that candidates must possess knowledge of a local language—Khasi or Garo—for entry into judicial services.
The Cabinet also approved the Meghalaya Pharmacist Service Rules, marking the formal establishment of structured service regulations for pharmacists in the State—an important step toward strengthening professional standards and service conditions in the sector.
