SHILLONG, Oct 27: The Meghalaya Cabinet on Tuesday approved a cost revision for the Meghalaya Integrated Transport Project (MITP)—with the state eyeing a potential benefit of Rs 160 crore through foreign exchange-rate gains—and cleared a series of key statutory and administrative appointments. Briefing reporters after the meeting held at the Pinewood Hotel, Health Minister and MDA-II spokesperson Wailadmiki Shylla said all 10 agenda items placed before the Cabinet were approved.
Addressing the transport revision, Shylla explained that the MITP’s costs had originally been tied to the US dollar. The revision was approved to account for currency fluctuations and secure an estimated Rs 160 crore in exchange-rate gains, though the additional funds remain subject to final approval from the central ministry concerned.
The Cabinet also approved cost escalations for nine road projects under the World Bank-assisted MITP after expenditures crossed the mandatory 25 per cent threshold requiring Cabinet sanction. Shylla attributed the increase to general rate escalations, additional works, and a hike in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from 12 per cent at the time of sanction to 18 per cent.
In key appointments, the Cabinet approved the recommendation of retired IAS officer Ripnar Lyngdoh as the State Chief Information Commissioner. The recommendation was made by a high-level selection committee comprising Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and others. Lyngdoh previously served as a State Information Commissioner.
The Cabinet also cleared the recommendation of Justice Wanlura Diengdoh for appointment as President of the Meghalaya State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
To address public concerns over minor construction works, the Cabinet cleared an amendment to the Meghalaya Minor Mineral Concession Rules governing the incidental extraction of minerals. Shylla said the new provision covers individuals extracting minor minerals while digging wells or constructing houses on land plots up to half an acre.
Additionally, guidelines for implementing the Meghalaya Industrial and Investment Promotion Scheme were approved to streamline the release of incentives and subsidies to eligible investors.
The Cabinet also granted a two-year service extension to BM Syiem, Executive Director (Technical) of the Meghalaya Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation, who was scheduled to retire this month, citing the need to oversee ongoing infrastructure projects.
Other matters cleared during the meeting included additional land acquisition for the Knowledge City at Mawkhanu, the relocation of an airport navigation facility, and a proposed football academy in New Shillong.