Shillong, September 15: The Meghalaya Cabinet on Tuesday approved a series of decisions covering education, workers’ engagement, transport, civil aviation, dam safety, film tourism and excise reforms.
Among the major decisions was the approval of CM IMPACT+, a new grant-in-aid scheme intended to support approximately 1,900 secondary and higher secondary schools across the state.
The government said Meghalaya has around 9,000 primary, lower-primary and upper-primary schools but considerably fewer secondary and higher secondary institutions. Seven blocks reportedly do not have a single secondary school.
Under the scheme, eligible institutions will receive lump-sum grants that may be utilised according to their requirements. These will not be sanctioned posts or salary grants for individual teachers and lecturers.
The performance-based scheme will be reviewed annually, with better-performing schools eligible for greater financial support. The Education Department is finalising its detailed framework, including eligibility criteria and the quantum of assistance.
The Cabinet also prescribed 60 years as the uniform age for ending the engagement of Regular Casual Workers, casual workers and muster-roll workers.
Previously, muster-roll workers could continue until the age of 65, while RCWs had a cessation age of 58. The government said individual cases of workers presently in transition, including muster-roll workers aged 63 or 64, would be examined by the departments concerned.
Amendments to the Meghalaya Film Tourism Policy, 2025, were also approved. Films seeking the ₹1-crore incentive for productions in regional languages must now be released in at least 100 theatres or on a national-level over-the-top platform.
The ₹10-lakh incentive for films featured on Hello Meghalaya has also been revised. Such films may now be released on national platforms instead of being restricted exclusively to Hello Meghalaya. Films featured on the state platform must be dubbed in Khasi and Garo.
The Cabinet further approved the formation of the Meghalaya Integrated Transport Society to bring different transport services under a unified system.
An integrated online platform or application will be developed to allow residents and tourists to book buses, taxis and helicopter tickets. Other tourism-related booking services may subsequently be added.
A dedicated Civil Aviation Wing or Cell will also be created within the Transport Department to support the state’s expanding aviation sector.
The decision comes amid the proposed expansion of Umroi Airport’s runway, the anticipated activation of Baljek Airport following its takeover by the Airports Authority of India, the development of helipads and plans to introduce helicopter tourism.
The Cabinet also approved the establishment of an independent State Dam Safety Organisation. Meghalaya has approximately 12 to 13 dams, whose safety assessments were previously handled by officials of the agencies operating them.
The government said the independent body would prevent potential conflicts of interest and ensure that inspections and safety checks were conducted according to prescribed procedures.
In another decision, the Cabinet approved the one-time regularisation of 11 Lady Supervisors appointed under Regulation 3(f) of the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (Limitation of Functions) Regulations, 1972.
The decision was taken in compliance with a Supreme Court order following proceedings before the High Court and its Division Bench. It will apply only to the 11 cases and cannot be treated as a precedent.
The Cabinet also approved the reclassification of Indian-made foreign liquor brands, revision of ad valorem rates and amendments to the Meghalaya Excise and Bonded Warehouse rules.
Excise duty and value-added tax will now be combined into a single ad valorem levy administered by the Excise Department. Rates will also be revised to reduce the price gap with Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, which recently increased duties on various products.
The reforms are expected to generate approximately ₹150 crore in additional annual revenue, subject to actual collections.
Separate allowances provided to retired judges for telephone, electricity, travel, secretarial assistance and domestic help will now be consolidated into a lump-sum payment to simplify administration and reduce paperwork.
The Cabinet also approved extensions and contractual engagements of experienced professionals for externally aided projects and agencies.
Retired IAS officer Gideon Kharmawphlang’s tenure as Executive Director (Technical) of the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency was extended for two years, from July 16, 2026, to July 15, 2028.
The service of retired PWD-National Highway Chief Engineer Bruce P Marak as adviser to the Meghalaya Integrated Transport Project was also extended.
Marcel Kharbani was engaged as MBMA General Manager; Augustus S Suting as Assistant Project Director of the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority; retired Agriculture Director Damanshu Lamar as MBMA adviser; and Aiban Swer as MBMA Additional Director.
The government clarified that these were project-specific engagements and not regular government posts that could affect the promotion prospects of serving officers.
