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Key Points

The Meghalaya cabinet has approved six significant decisions covering various aspects of governance. They've formalized service rules for government drivers and resolved a long-standing land dispute in Sohra. Financial reforms include releasing funds to clear the GHADC's salary backlog that had prompted major protests. These moves demonstrate the government's commitment to administrative efficiency and addressing public concerns.

Key Points: Meghalaya Cabinet Approves Service Rules Land Dispute Financial Reforms

  • Approved Meghalaya Directorate and District Drivers Service Rule 2025 for recruitment guidelines
  • Finalised SOP for State Guest House at Tara Ghar administration
  • Resolved Sohra land dispute by dividing 128 acres to Ilaka
  • Released advance royalty to clear GHADC's year-long salary backlog
  • Appointed IAS officer as Principal Secretary for financial oversight
  • Established escrow account to ensure proper fund utilisation
  • Approved 2026 holiday list maintaining previous year's pattern
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Meghalaya cabinet approves key decisions on service rules, land dispute, financial reforms

Meghalaya cabinet clears six major decisions including driver service rules, Sohra land dispute resolution, and financial support for GHADC salary backlog

"The decisions reflect the government's focus on administrative clarity, dispute resolution, and financial accountability - Officials"

Shillong, September 30

The Meghalaya cabinet on Tuesday cleared six major agendas aimed at governance reforms, dispute resolution, and financial streamlining.

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma was chairing the cabinet meeting.

One of the key approvals was the Meghalaya Directorate and District Drivers Service Rule 2025, which formalises recruitment and promotion guidelines for government drivers.

The cabinet also finalised a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the newly inaugurated State Guest House at Tara Ghar to regulate room allotment and administration.

Additionally, the holiday list for 2026 was approved, in line with the list for the previous year.

A significant breakthrough came with the resolution of the Sohra land dispute between the General Administration Department (GAD) and the Ilaka. As per the cabinet's decision, about 128 acres of land will be handed over to the Ilaka, while the rest will remain under GAD's control.

On financial matters, the cabinet decided to support the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) by releasing an advance share of royalty to clear a year-long backlog of salaries. An IAS officer will be appointed as Principal Secretary to oversee financial reforms, and an escrow account will be established to ensure the proper utilisation of funds.

The decisions, officials said, reflect the government's focus on administrative clarity, dispute resolution, and financial accountability.

This comes over three weeks after a mega protest rally was organised in the Tura region of the West Garo Hills district to push the demands of the employees of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) for the release of their dues.

Several social organisations, student bodies, and civil society groups together took part in the protest rally to register a strong protest over the delay in payment of salaries.

A conglomerate of organisations, including the Garo Students Union and several social outfits, marched alongside hundreds of salary-deprived staff of the district council as they made their way through the main thoroughfares of Tura town.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good to see the Sohra land dispute resolution. These tribal land issues have been pending for decades. Hope this brings peace to the region and sets a precedent for other similar disputes in the Northeast.
J
James A
The driver service rules and SOP for state guest house show systematic governance approach. But why did it take protests to address the salary backlog? Proactive governance would have prevented this crisis.
A
Ananya R
Appointing an IAS officer as Principal Secretary for financial reforms is a smart move. The escrow account should ensure funds are used properly. Hope this brings transparency to GHADC finances! 👍
S
Sarah B
As someone who has visited Meghalaya, it's heartening to see governance reforms. The state guest house SOP will help tourists and officials alike. Beautiful state deserves good administration!
V
Vikram M
The holiday list approval shows continuity, but I wish they'd included some local festivals from Garo and Khasi communities. Small gestures matter for cultural inclusivity in governance.

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