Shillong, June 30: The Meghalaya Cabinet on Tuesday approved a series of major policy and administrative decisions, including the adoption of a new rural employment programme replacing MGNREGS, regularisation of long-pending ad hoc employees, recruitment reforms, a new law to regulate private money lenders, and measures to strengthen the state’s civil service.
The Cabinet approved the adoption of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-GRAM G), which replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) with an expanded rural development framework will come into effect from July 1 and remain in force for the current phase until March 31, 2027. Under the new programme, guaranteed employment has been increased from 100 days to 125 days, while the range of permissible works has been expanded to include rural roads, Anganwadi centres, school buildings, livelihood projects and environmental conservation initiatives. Meghalaya has received a normative allocation of ₹1,100 crore for the first nine months of implementation.
Addressing the media after the Cabinet meeting, Sangma said the ₹1,100 crore allocation covers the period from July 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, while the first quarter of the financial year, from April to June, continued under the previous MGNREGS guidelines.
He clarified that the sanctioned amount would be shared between the Centre and the State in a 90:10 funding ratio, but warned that any expenditure exceeding the normative allocation would have to be borne entirely by the Meghalaya Government. “If the State spends beyond the ₹1,100 crore allocation, the additional expenditure will not be shared by the Centre and will have to be funded completely by the State,” the Chief Minister said.
Highlighting the key features of the new legislation, Sangma said the Act increases the guaranteed number of employment days from 100 to 125 and significantly expands the list of permissible works from around 240–250 projects to more than 320. He said the revised guidelines also prioritise infrastructure projects such as roads and connectivity, while permitting the construction of Anganwadi centres and school buildings, which were not allowed under the previous MGNREGS framework.
In addition, the new Act broadens the scope of rural employment by including dedicated livelihood programmes, as well as projects related to environmental protection, water conservation, and forest conservation, aimed at strengthening rural development and sustainable livelihoods across the State.
In another significant decision, the Cabinet approved the regularisation of 38 ad hoc government employees who were appointed on or before December 31, 2007 against sanctioned posts. The government said the move complies with the Supreme Court’s one-time regularisation framework. Although the original sanction orders could not be traced, appointments were verified through treasury records, salary payments and departmental certifications.
The Cabinet also approved an amendment to the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (Limitation of Functions) Regulations, 1972, deleting Regulation 3(f). The government said the reform would strengthen transparency and merit-based recruitment by ending the long-used provision for temporary appointments, which had contributed to prolonged ad hoc employment. Future short-term requirements will instead be met through contractual appointments until regular recruitment is completed.
To improve career progression within the Meghalaya Civil Service, the Cabinet approved the creation of four new posts of Special Secretary (Level 22) under the Meghalaya Civil Service Rules, 1975. The decision addresses a long-standing demand of the MCS Association and provides additional promotional opportunities for officers.
The Cabinet further approved the Meghalaya Money Lenders and Accredited Loan Providers Bill, 2026, establishing a legal framework for the registration and regulation of private money lenders through Deputy Commissioners. The legislation aims to ensure transparency, curb exploitative lending practices and protect borrowers from excessive interest rates.
Among other decisions, the Cabinet approved the promotion of A. Sangma as Legal Remembrancer and Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Law Department, following the recommendation of the Departmental Promotion Committee.
The Cabinet also approved the Meghalaya Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes (BUDS) Rules, 2026, framed under the Government of India’s BUDS Act to strengthen enforcement against fraudulent and unregulated deposit schemes and enhance financial protection for the people of Meghalaya.
