Shillong, Aug 7: The Meghalaya cabinet today approved amendments to the Delegation of Financial Powers Rules 2006 to empower the District Council Affairs (DCA) Department to oversee and disburse financial shares to the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs).
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma explained that, previously, district councils had to approach three separate departments – Transport, Mining and Forest – for their respective revenue shares. “The process was very tedious. From now on, the DCA will be the nodal department for disbursing all revenue shares to the district councils,” he said.
Since the DCA Department does not have a designated Head of Department (HoD), the Joint Secretary, who is equivalent to a director-level officer, has been entrusted with the financial powers. “This is a significant reform in how the District Council Affairs functions,” Sangma stated.
BUILDING PERMISSIONS EASED
In another decision, the cabinet approved the second amendment to the Meghalaya Building Bylaws 2025 aimed at improving the ease of doing business and streamlining the building permit process.
The state will officially launch an online building permission system from August 11, allowing applicants to submit building plans digitally without needing to physically visit government offices.
Further simplifying the process, the amendment introduces a fast-track route for low-risk constructions – residential, commercial, or industrial buildings with a built-up area of up to 3,000 sq ft, limited to G+1 structure and a maximum height of 7 metres.
“For such buildings, technical approvals from MUDA will no longer be required,” the CM said. Instead, empaneled architects and engineers can self-certify plans. Applicants can begin construction immediately upon submission and final permissions will be granted within 30 days.
For larger constructions – up to G+2 or a built-up area of 7,500 sq ft – third-party verification will be facilitated through empaneled architects and engineering firms.
“These steps will significantly ease the process for citizens and boost construction activity while maintaining safety and compliance,” Sangma asserted.
WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE
In matters of employment, the cabinet gave its nod to an amendment that would legally allow female employees to work night shifts, aligning the state with the central government’s labour policy and practices already adopted by several other states.
Sangma said that this change has been pending for a long time. “Even if women were willing and the environment was safe, there was no provision for them to take up night shifts. We’ve now made a progressive move by allowing it, with very clear conditions to ensure their safety and well-being,” he said.
Conditions are applicable, though, for any workplace that looks to introduce women working at night, namely mandatory installation of CCTV cameras and a pick-up and drop-off service. Working a night shift will be completely voluntary, with compelling female employees not permitted.
“This decision ensures that female workers who want to work night shifts can now do so and those who are not comfortable will not be forced. It is about offering freedom of choice, backed by mandatory safeguards,” the CM added.
TOURIST VEHICLE RENTALS
The cabinet also decided to come up with a policy for two-wheelers and vehicles to be rented out to tourists.
Informing this, the Chief Minister said that many tourists visit Meghalaya and they rent vehicles from private individuals but there has never been a mechanism to regulate this business for the overall safety of travellers.
Those who are interested in renting out bikes and four-wheelers to tourists will now have to register with the Transport Department.
