Shillong, May 5: The Meghalaya Cabinet on Tuesday approved a series of significant decisions ranging from conservation measures to infrastructure development and administrative reforms.
In a landmark move, the Cabinet declared the Chocolate Mahseer (Neolissochilus hexagonolepis), locally known as Khasaw in Khasi and Na-rang in Garo, as the official State Fish of Meghalaya. Officials said the decision was aimed at promoting conservation and protecting this indigenous species, which is native to the state.
The Cabinet also cleared the revised estimate for the New Shillong Water Supply Scheme (Phase I), raising the project cost from ₹553 crore to ₹770 crore. The revision was necessitated by the relocation of the dam site due to the development of a scientific landfill at Nonghali, along with provisions for electrical lines and land acquisition.
Urban development received a boost with amendments to the Meghalaya Building Bye Laws, 2021, reducing the minimum plot size for special projects from 50,000 sq. ft. to 37,500 sq. ft. and the built-up area requirement from 20,000 sq. ft. to 15,000 sq. ft. Officials said the move will encourage multi-storey developments, attract investment, and generate employment.
To support future infrastructure projects, the Cabinet approved the creation of land banks in East and North Garo Hills. In East Garo Hills, 93.59 acres will be acquired at a cost of ₹7 crore, while 26 acres will be procured in North Garo Hills for ₹3.9 crore.
Sports infrastructure also saw a major revision, with the cost of the Indoor Stadium at Jongksha rising from ₹22.75 crore to ₹35.40 crore. The project’s scope expanded due to relocation and preparations for the upcoming National Games, increasing the built-up area from 12,031 sq. m. to 15,417 sq. m.
Other approvals included the regularization of 98 ad hoc employees appointed before December 31, 2007, amendments to excise rules increasing the import pass fee on Extra Neutral Alcohol from ₹25 to ₹30 per bulk litre, and changes to forest transit rules. The Cabinet also adopted service rules for officials of the Meghalaya Drugs Testing Laboratory.
Additionally, the government extended the service tenures of senior officials, including Shri Ram Mohan Mishra, IAS (Retd), Executive Chairman of the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion Board; Shri Hector Marwein, IAS (Retd), Chairman of the Meghalaya Sustainable Development Council; and Shri Kynphambor Wahlang, Superintendent Engineer, Directorate of Urban Affairs.
