The Meghalaya Cabinet has cleared a wide range of decisions aimed at balancing urban development with environmental protection.
In a notable step, the government declared the Chocolate Mahseer (Neolissochilus hexagonolepis), locally known as ‘Khasaw’, as the State Fish. The move is intended to promote conservation of the species.
The fish thrives in the state’s clear, fast-flowing rivers and holds both ecological and cultural importance.
To widen economic participation, the Cabinet approved amendments to the Meghalaya Building Bye-Laws 2021. The revised rules focus on the “Special Projects” category.
This category includes large developments such as hotels, hospitals, shopping malls, and educational institutions. Earlier, these projects required a minimum plot size of 50,000 square feet and a covered area of 20,000 square feet.
The new rules reduce the plot requirement to 37,500 square feet and the covered area to 15,000 square feet. The changes are expected to help more landowners participate in large-scale development.
They are also aimed at encouraging vertical growth in urban areas.
Several infrastructure projects saw cost revisions due to practical constraints. The New Shillong Township Water Supply Scheme Phase I has been increased to ₹770 crore from the earlier ₹553 crore.
This rise is due to the relocation of the dam site further upstream to avoid a landfill in Nonghali. Additional costs include dedicated electrical lines and land acquisition.
The Indoor Stadium in Jongsha has also seen its budget increase from ₹22.75 crore to ₹35.40 crore. This follows its relocation from Pomlakrai and expansion in size.
The planned area has been increased from 12,031 to 15,047 square meters to meet National Games standards.
To manage such increases, the Cabinet has decided that any project exceeding a 25 percent cost escalation will now require direct Cabinet approval. Earlier, such matters were handled by the finance department.
On the administrative side, the government approved the regularization of 98 ad-hoc employees appointed before December 31, 2007.
Around 55 of these employees belong to the Health Department, while others are from different departments.
Service extensions were also granted to senior officials. These include Ram Mohan Mishra as Executive Chairman of the State Investment Promotion Board and Hector Marwein as Chairman of the Meghalaya Sustainable Development Council.
Kynphambor Wahlang has been given an extension as Superintending Engineer in the Directorate of Urban Affairs.
The Cabinet also adopted formal service rules for officials of the Meghalaya Drug Testing Laboratory.
In addition, several regulatory updates and land management steps were approved. Amendments were made to transit rules under the Meghalaya Forest Regulation 1973.
Changes were also adopted from the Assam Excise Rules 1945, including provisions related to special duties on bottled spirits and distillery operations.
Finally, the Cabinet approved the purchase of land in Rongalgre in East Garo Hills and other locations in North Garo Hills. These will be used to create land banks for future development projects.
