Shillong, September 16: The Meghalaya Cabinet on Tuesday approved a series of decisions covering education, transport, workforce policy, civil aviation, dam safety, film tourism, excise administration and social welfare.
Among the major decisions was the formation of the Meghalaya Integrated Transport Society (MITS) to develop a unified digital platform for booking bus, taxi and helicopter services, besides providing access to other tourism-related services. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the platform is intended to bring multiple transport services under a single application, with the government supporting the technology partner for the initial two years.
The Cabinet also approved CM IMPACT+, a new Grant-in-Aid scheme aimed at supporting around 1,900 secondary and higher secondary schools across Meghalaya. The assistance will be provided as a lump-sum grant directly to eligible institutions rather than as sanctioned posts or salary grants for teachers and lecturers. The scheme is expected to be reviewed annually and will have a performance-based component.
Another key decision was to fix 60 years as the uniform cessation age for Regular Casual Workers, Casual Workers and Muster Roll Workers. The decision involves a consequential amendment to the Meghalaya Regular Casual Workers Scheme, 1996. Previously, different cessation ages applied to these categories, including 65 years for Muster Roll Workers and 58 years for Regular Casual Workers.
On the excise front, the Cabinet approved the reclassification of IMFL brands, revision of ad valorem rates and amendments to the Meghalaya Excise and Bonded Warehouse Rules. The government has decided to combine VAT and excise duty under a single ad valorem levy administered by the Excise Department. The revised rates are also intended to reduce the price gap with neighbouring Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The government expects the changes to generate around ₹150 crore in additional annual revenue, subject to actual collections.
The Cabinet further approved amendments to the Meghalaya Film Tourism Policy, 2025. Under the revised criteria, films made in regional languages seeking the ₹1-crore incentive will have to be released in at least 100 theatres or on a national-level OTT platform. Changes were also made to the conditions governing films featured on the Hello Meghalaya platform.
The Cabinet also approved changes concerning benefits for retired judges, allowing certain separate allowances for telephone, electricity, travel, secretarial assistance and domestic help to be consolidated into a lump-sum payment.
In the Social Welfare Department, the Cabinet approved the one-time regularisation of 11 Lady Supervisors, with the decision linked to court proceedings and applicable specifically to the 11 cases.
The Cabinet also approved several extensions and engagements involving experienced professionals for externally aided projects and government agencies, including an extension of the service of retired IAS officer Gideon Kharmawphlang as Executive Director (Technical), Meghalaya Basin Management Agency, for two years from July 16, 2026, to July 15, 2028.
Overall, the decisions announced after the September 15 Cabinet meeting cover transport and tourism, school education, workforce administration, excise revenue, film incentives, social welfare and government project management.
