Shillong, Dec 20: The Meghalaya Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Friday, approved several key proposals covering education, health, infrastructure, governance, and financial development.

The Cabinet approved the State Curriculum Framework for the foundational stage (preschool to Class I), emphasizing holistic development, value education, and the state’s culture and history. Learning both Khasi and Garo languages will be mandatory. Adoption of the new textbooks will be optional this year and mandatory from next year.

A five-year Mission Mode HIV/AIDS Project was also approved, with a budget of ₹25 crore, to expand awareness campaigns, infrastructure, and targeted interventions to address the rising HIV and AIDS cases in the state.

Amendments to the Meghalaya Building Bye Law, 2021 were approved, making green building certification mandatory for certain large buildings. The government also sanctioned the purchase of 8,000 sq. m. of land at Greater Noida for constructing Meghalaya House at a cost of ₹32 crore, aimed at supporting students and residents traveling to the national capital.

Justice S. Vaidyanathan, former Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court, was appointed Chairperson of the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission. The Cabinet also approved the establishment of the Meghalaya Livelihoods and Investment Financing Cooperative Society Ltd (LIFE Co-Op) to support cooperative societies and farmers, particularly in agriculture and food processing.

To manage the 39th National Games hosted by Meghalaya, the Cabinet approved the creation of the National Game Secretariat Society as an autonomous body under the Sports Department.

Amendments to Rule 374 of the Assam Excise Rule, 1945 were approved to reduce export fees on Extra Neutral Alcohol, making Meghalaya’s products more competitive in the North East. The Revised Remission Policy Notification was also approved, allowing jail superintendents to recommend sentence reductions in line with Supreme Court guidance. Amendments were made to the Meghalaya Planning Service Rules, 1999, including Rule 4, Rule 7 to Rule 26, and Schedules I & II.

These approvals highlight the state government’s focus on improving education, health services, sustainable infrastructure, and governance.