Shillong: The Meghalaya Cabinet has approved the introduction of a dedicated paper on Meghalaya in the Meghalaya Civil Service (MCS) competitive examination, with the objective of ensuring that future civil servants have a deeper understanding of the state’s history, culture, governance systems and economy.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting on Thursday, said an expert committee headed by Professor David Syiemlieh had been constituted to prepare a report on the proposed paper.
The Cabinet approved the committee’s recommendations, paving the way for the introduction of Paper VI, which will specifically focus on Meghalaya.
“The objective being that MCS officers must have knowledge of the state, including its history, its culture, its different systems, and different economic aspects,” Sangma said.
The Cabinet also decided to formally introduce the Meghalaya Official Languages Bill, 2026 during the upcoming Assembly session. The legislation will amend the existing law to recognise Khasi and Garo as official languages of the state, following the promulgation of an ordinance to the same effect.
Among other key decisions, the Cabinet approved an automatic appeal mechanism for online applications under the Meghalaya Right to Public Services Act, 2020.
Under the mechanism, if a specified service is not delivered within the prescribed timeframe, an appeal will be triggered automatically without requiring the citizen to file a separate appeal. Sangma said the move would strengthen the Act and ensure citizens receive government services within the stipulated time.
The Cabinet further approved a one-year extension of the registration period under the Meghalaya Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy, 2024, allowing companies additional time to register and avail themselves of incentives under the policy.
Amendments were also approved to the Meghalaya Commerce and Industry Service Amendment Rules, 2026, primarily to align the age-related provision with the government’s decision to increase the upper age limit for Scheduled Tribe candidates in the state to 32 years.
A major decision was taken to merge VAT on alcohol with the excise duty regime, bringing both under the Excise Department. Sangma said VAT on alcohol was earlier handled by the Taxation Department while excise-related components were managed by the Excise Department.
The merger, he said, is aimed at improving monitoring and coordination and is expected to have a positive impact on the state’s excise revenue.
The Cabinet also approved amendments to align Meghalaya’s GST legislation with the latest changes made at the national level. The amendment bill will be introduced during the upcoming autumn session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
Sangma said the Cabinet also discussed various aspects of the speech to be delivered on Independence Day.