Shillong, Sept 15: The cabinet that was held today has taken many decisions, in the meeting the Cabinet approved a new Grant-in-Aid Scheme for Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools, which we are calling CM IMPACT+.
The objective is to support around 1,900 Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools across Meghalaya.
Today, we have around 9,000 Primary, Lower Primary and Upper Primary Schools, but there is a steep fall in the number of Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools. In fact, 7 blocks in the State do not have a single Secondary School.
This requires a special push from the Government to strengthen and promote Secondary and Higher Secondary education.
Under CM IMPACT+, certain criteria will determine the schools eligible for the grant. The grant structure for Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools is being finalised, including the quantum of lump-sum support.
Importantly, these will not be sanctioned posts or salary grants for individual teachers or lecturers. The lump-sum grant will be provided to the institution, allowing the school to utilise it according to its requirements.
The scheme will also be reviewed every year and will be performance-based. Schools that perform better will be incentivised and provided greater financial support.
The Education Department is fine-tuning the details based on the suggestions given, following which a detailed framework will be released.
Cessation Age for RCWs, Casual Workers & Muster Roll Workers, the Cabinet approved the prescription of 60 years as the age of cessation of engagement of Regular Casual Workers (RCWs), Casual Workers and Muster Roll Workers, along with the consequential amendment to Paragraph 6(I) of the Meghalaya Regular Casual Workers Scheme, 1996.
Earlier, there was a disparity in the cessation ages. An order had provided for Muster Roll Workers to continue up to 65 years, while Regular Casual Workers were subsequently prescribed a cessation age of 58 years.
The cabinet have now decided to bring all three categories to a uniform cessation age of 60 years.
The decision also takes into account the fact that these workers do not receive regular retirement benefits such as pension.
There are also workers currently in the transition phase, including some Muster Roll Workers who are already 63 or 64 years old and who had earlier chosen to remain as Muster Roll Workers rather than being taken up as RCWs, as that would have resulted in cessation at 58.
To ensure that such workers are not unfairly deprived of the benefit they had chosen to retain, their cases will be examined by the concerned departments on a case-to-case basis.
The Cabinet approved amendments to the Meghalaya Film Tourism Policy 2025 to provide greater clarity and make the policy more effective.
For example, the earlier provision provided an incentive of ₹1 crore for films made in different regional languages. This has now been made more specific. To qualify, the film should be released in at least 100 movie theatres or on a national-level OTT platform.
Similarly, the earlier provision of ₹10 lakh for films featured exclusively on Hello Meghalaya has been amended. The cabinet felt that making Hello Meghalaya the exclusive platform could restrict the film’s wider exposure and undermine its overall performance.
The revised provision will allow films to also be released on national platforms, while films featured on Hello Meghalaya will be required to be dubbed in Khasi and Garo.
These amendments are aimed at tightening the policy, improving clarity and making the incentives more effective.
The Cabinet approved the formation of the Meghalaya Integrated Transport Society (MeITS).
The Society will facilitate different aspects of transportation on a more unified and integrated platform, including public transport and other transport services.
An integrated online platform/app will be developed through which citizens and tourists will be able to book buses, taxis and helicopter tickets, with the possibility of gradually bringing in other tourism-related ticketing and services.
This will help create a more seamless and technology-enabled transport ecosystem for Meghalaya.
The Cabinet approved the proposal for Strengthening the Institutional Framework of the Transport Department to Support Civil Aviation Initiatives in the State.
With the expansion of the Umroi Airport runway and the expectation of larger flights operating from the airport, the anticipated activation of Baljek Airport after the Airports Authority of India takes over, the development of helipads in different parts of the State, and the initiation of helicopter tourism, the aviation sector will require a stronger administrative structure.
A dedicated Civil Aviation Wing/Cell within the Transport Department, with specifically assigned officials, will therefore be created to handle and support the growing aviation sector.
The Cabinet approved the setting up of a State Dam Safety Organisation (SDSO).
The Government of India, through the Ministry of Jal Shakti, has prescribed systems and SOPs for ensuring the safety of dams, and Meghalaya has approximately 12–13 dams.
Earlier, dam safety was being handled by officials within the agencies operating the dams, including MECL and one dam under PHE. The concern was that having the same agency operate a dam and independently assess its safety could create a potential conflict of interest.
With the cabinet aproval now has decided to establish a separate structure with dedicated and independent officers who will follow the prescribed SOPs and ensure that the required inspections, mechanisms and safety checks are properly carried out.
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) Regulation, 1972, under the Social Welfare Department.
This decision has been taken in accordance with the orders received from the Hon’ble Supreme Court, following proceedings before the High Court, Division Bench and subsequently the Supreme Court.
The order specifically states that this is a one-time measure for these particular 11 cases and shall not be treated as a precedent.
The Cabinet approved the re-classification of categories of IMFL brands, revision of Ad Valorem rates and amendments to Rule 376 of the Meghalaya Excise (Amendment) Rules, 2026 and Rule 41 of the Meghalaya Bonded Warehouse Rules (Amendment) Rules, 2026.
Two important decisions have been taken.
First, Excise Duty and VAT will now be combined under a single Ad Valorem levy. VAT was earlier handled by the Taxation Department. It will now be combined with Excise, with the overall revenue being handled by the Excise Department.
For example, if ₹100 was earlier collected as Excise Duty and ₹100 as VAT, the combined amount of ₹200 will now be collected as Ad Valorem.
This will streamline the overall revenue collection process by having one department handle the revenue associated with excise.
Second, both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have recently increased their excise duties on different products. This had created a gap in prices between Meghalaya and neighbouring States.
Meghalaya has therefore also decided to revise its rates to reduce this gap, while also increasing revenue mobilisation.
The revised rates are expected to generate approximately ₹150 Crore in additional revenue, plus or minus depending on actual collections.
The cabinet aproved Amendment of the Retired Judges’ Secretarial Assistance and Domestic Help Rules, 2013.
Currently, various benefits provided to retired Judges are structured under different categories, including telephone, electricity, travel and other retirement-related allowances.
Based on the request of the Judiciary, these separate components will now be consolidated into a single lump-sum amount.
This will reduce the administrative and paperwork burden involved in claiming and processing multiple allowances, while making the system simpler, more convenient and efficient for both the retired Judges and the administration.
The rules have accordingly been amended to provide the benefits as a lump-sum amount instead of separate category-wise allowances.
The Cabinet also approved the extension and engagement of experienced professionals to support specific externally aided projects and agencies.
This includes, Shri Gideon Kharmawphlang (Retd. IAS) – extension of service as Executive Director (Technical), Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) for another two years, from 16 July 2026 to 15 July 2028.
Shri Bruce P. Marak (Retd. Chief Engineer, PWD-National Highway) – extension of service as Advisor, Meghalaya Integrated Transport Project (MITP). Shri Marcel Kharbani – engagement as General Manager, MBMA. Smt. Augustus S Suting – engagement as Assistant Project Director, MBDA.
Shri Damanshu Lamar (Retd. Director of Agriculture) – engagement as Advisor, MBMA. Shri Aiban Swer – engagement as Additional Director, MBMA.
It is important to clarify that these are not regular Government posts where the extension of service would block promotion opportunities for junior officers.
These are specific engagements within externally aided projects and agencies, where experienced professionals are engaged as consultants, advisors and project executives with defined responsibilities.
Cabinet approval is required for these engagements so that the projects can continue to benefit from their experience and technical expertise.
Together, these decisions are aimed at strengthening institutions, improving service delivery, supporting our workers, modernising transport and aviation, strengthening dam safety, promoting education and tourism, and improving revenue mobilisation for Meghalaya.
