Shillong, Feb 6: The Meghalaya Cabinet on Thursday approved a series of significant decisions covering education, sports, higher education, prison administration, fiscal policy, and governance.

The Cabinet cleared the introduction of a Structured Pay Framework for teachers on fixed pay under the Education Department. The reform will benefit around 23,099 teachers, including Adhoc and SSA teachers, who previously had varied pay structures or received grant-in-aid. The government said the framework addresses long-standing demands for uniform pay and job security. Related structural and institutional reforms within schools will be finalized over the next 60 days to ensure smooth implementation.

In sports, the Cabinet approved amendments to the Meghalaya Outstanding Sportsman Direct Appointment Policy and the draft Meghalaya Outstanding Sportsmen Direct Appointment Service Rules. A special cadre will be created for medal-winning sportspersons in six recognized tournaments, including the Olympics, National Games, and South Asian Games. The cadre will be position-based and end upon the sportsperson’s retirement. The Sports Department will now issue certificates through an online system to formalize eligibility for the 2% reservation for sportspersons.

The Cabinet also approved 11 regulations for Captain Williamson Sangma State University, covering a common academic calendar for undergraduate and postgraduate programs, admission procedures, fee structures, course structures for master’s programs, and examination conduct. These regulations aim to streamline academic and administrative operations.

Other approvals include the Meghalaya Prisons and Correctional Service Bill, 2026, aligning state prison rules with central guidelines, and amendments to the Meghalaya Legal Metrology Enforcement Rules standardizing service fees.

Appointments were cleared for the Vice Chairman and four members of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women under Rule 5 of the commission.

The Cabinet also approved an amendment to the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, allowing Meghalaya to utilize an additional 0.5% fiscal deficit, as recommended by the 15th Finance Commission, bringing the total permissible deficit to 3.5% of GSDP. The amendment will now be presented to the Legislative Assembly.

Lastly, the Cabinet approved the Governor’s Address, to be delivered on 16 February, after a detailed review of the final document.