Shillong, Oct 29: The state cabinet today approved the schedule for the preparation of rolls for the conduct of elections for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).
Informing this, cabinet minister and government spokesperson Wailadmiki Shylla said that the election to the GHADC will be held in 2026.
On the contentious issue of non-tribals voting in the GHADC elections, the government said that the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules 1951 will be followed.
Non-Garos are allowed to vote and contest the GHADC election, which has been a periodic sticking point for pressure groups in Garo Hills.
Meanwhile, the cabinet also approved the Meghalaya Village Defence Organisation Rules 2025 to revise the out of pocket money of VDPs.
Shylla informed that the approval of the new rules will increase the out-of-pocket expense limit of VDPs from Rs 300 to Rs 3,000. Shylla hoped that this will encourage the VDPs to be more active.
“In today’s time of crime, drugs and [illegal activities] in border areas we would be able to encourage our villagers to form VDPs,” he said.
The government spokesperson said that according to the rules the VDPs will be modernised by giving them uniforms, walkie talkies and identity cards.
The cabinet also approved the rationalisation of SSA schools.
Recently, during a meeting of the Meghalaya Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Schools Association (MSSASA) with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma the state government proposed to take over SSA schools and implement a payment structure for SSA teachers.
Also on the subject of education, the cabinet approved the regularisation of 283 special educators in Meghalaya.
“The cabinet has approved regularisation of special educators and similar professionals as mandated in the Supreme Court’s order,” Shylla explained.
Currently, 283 special educators are working on a contractual basis and the cabinet’s approval paves the way for their regularisation.
