Shillong, October 27: The Meghalaya Cabinet on Tuesday approved the lease of nearly 20 acres in New Shillong to NorthEast United FC for a football academy. It also cleared more land for the Knowledge City at Mawkhanu and appointed retired IAS officer Ripnar Lyngdoh as State Chief Information Commissioner.
Football academy : The Cabinet approved a 45-year lease of 19.99 acres at Mawkhanu, New Shillong, to NorthEast United FC. The club plans to invest ₹40–50 crore in three football grounds, accommodation and other facilities. The academy is meant to nurture local talent and prepare young players for higher levels of the game.
The State Government said it will keep supporting grassroots football through Mission Football, its network of about 125 grassroots centres, and help for local clubs. Other clubs with viable proposals will also be encouraged to seek support.
Knowledge City expansion : The Cabinet approved the purchase of another 2,81,000 sq ft of paddy land at Mawkhanu to fill gaps between plots already acquired, so that Knowledge City can be developed as one integrated area. The land will be bought at ₹490 per sq ft, at a total cost of about ₹13.8 crore.
Transport project costs revised : The Cabinet revised the overall project cost of the World Bank-assisted Meghalaya Integrated Transport Project (MITP) so the State can benefit from exchange rate gains. If the concerned Ministry approves, this is expected to bring in an extra ₹160 crore for the project.
It also approved cost revisions for nine road projects under MITP. These were needed because of higher construction costs, additional works and the rise in GST from 12 to 18 per cent. Under State policy, any cost revision above 25 per cent requires Cabinet approval.
Shillong Airport expansion : The Cabinet approved leasing land at Umktieh village in Ri-Bhoi district to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to relocate the DVOR navigation system. The system’s current location is holding up the planned expansion of Shillong Airport.
Minor minerals rule eased : The Cabinet amended the Meghalaya Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2016, to let people use minor minerals dug up during small construction work such as building a house or digging a well. The provision covers plots of up to half an acre.
Investment scheme guidelines : The Cabinet approved the guidelines of the Meghalaya Industrial and Investment Promotion Scheme (MIIPS) 2026, which puts the Meghalaya Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy (MIIPP) 2024 into effect. The guidelines will let eligible investors access the incentives, subsidies and other support offered under the scheme.
Appointments : Ripnar Lyngdoh, IAS (Retd.), who earlier served as a member of the Meghalaya State Information Commission, has been appointed State Chief Information Commissioner.
The Cabinet also accepted the selection committee’s recommendation to appoint Justice Wanlura Diengdoh as President of the Meghalaya State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
It further approved the re-employment of B.M. Syiem, Secretary, PWD (Roads & Buildings), as Executive Director (Technical) of the Meghalaya Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation (MIDFC).
