Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today announced that the government is ready to discuss the expert committee report on the state reservation policy, which could lead to the report being presented in the upcoming Meghalaya Assembly session.
“We will be able to announce when [we will release it] and the Assembly session too will be starting very soon,” Sangma told reporters. “During the Assembly session, I am sure we will be able to present everything directly in the Assembly.”
Sangma explained that the delay in releasing the report was due to its complexity and length, requiring thorough review. “It was a large report – thousands and thousands of pages were there… every word is important in it, so it is not possible for us to just give a gist of things,” he added.
The CM assured that the cabinet will discuss the report soon, likely in the next meeting. The cabinet will meet tomorrow morning at a ‘cabinet retreat’ in Mawkasiang. “So, within a week or 10 days we will be able to announce,” Sangma said.
CLEANLINESS MANTRA
Meanwhile, the CM said that special emphasis on sanitation and cleanliness across the state will be in focus in 2026.
Responding to a question on the government’s New Year resolutions during a press conference, Sangma said he prefers to view resolutions as guiding missions rather than fixed targets. He noted that every year the government reviews unresolved issues and works towards taking them forward in a structured manner.
Citing past examples, the Chief Minister referred to the long-standing issue of ad hoc and SSA teachers, which he said was a personal priority last year. “Before the end of the year, we were able to arrive at a decision after extensive discussions. While the implementation will begin in April, the decision has been communicated to all stakeholders,” he said, adding that the move was aimed at ensuring stability and smoother functioning in the education sector.
Sangma also pointed to delays in scholarships as another major concern that was addressed. He said the state government engaged with the central government to resolve the issue, with the objective of ensuring timely disbursal in the future.
Looking ahead, the CM identified cleanliness and sanitation as a key priority for 2026. He said the government is determined to improve civic sense and sanitation standards across Meghalaya, particularly in view of the upcoming National Games. “When people visit Shillong, Tura, Jowai and other parts of the state, they should see a clean environment and a strong sense of civic responsibility,” he said.
Acknowledging that the task would be challenging, Sangma said the government plans to align its resources, actions and stakeholders to work in a more focused and coordinated manner. He added that several initiatives have already been planned and some rolled out, with details to be shared at a later stage.
“This is something I really want to do,” the Chief Minister said, underlining cleanliness as a long-term goal for the state rather than a short-term campaign.
