Shillong, Jun 17: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) today tabled its full budget for the 2026-27 financial year, projecting a deficit of Rs 16.92 lakh.
Executive Member in charge of Finance, Seiborlang Warbah, presented the budget on the first day of the summer budget session. He said the council expects to incur expenditure of Rs 214,60,09,410 during the current financial year, while revenue is estimated at Rs 214,43,16,760.
Warbah told the house that the executive committee would “leave no stone unturned in finding ways and means to further increase the council’s revenue, improve the working system and carefully scrutinise expenditure.”
He urged the house to approve the full budget, stating that the three-month vote on account passed in the interim budget in February will expire on June 30.
“The objective and basis of the budget allocation for the various departments is in accordance with the works we have to implement,” Warbah said, adding that allocations were made after a careful examination of the KHADC’s income and expenditure.
On land management, Warbah said the council has taken measures to protect community lands. He noted that allotment of Raid lands to individuals and companies, running into tens of hectares, poses a threat to future generations due to land scarcity for agriculture, settlement and other purposes.
“To protect and preserve Raid lands, the executive committee has decided to impose a ceiling on allotment of Raid lands by issuing a notification. This notification will be effective immediately but will not apply to lands acquired by the central and state governments,” he said.
The budget proposes appointing a Land Recording Officer with expertise in GIS (geographic information system) to implement the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP) and the KHADC’s Regulation and Administration of Land Act 2021, amid a surge in title rights certificate applications.
On revenue measures, Warbah said the EC has released a bilingual pamphlet under the “Meghalaya Professions, Trades, Callings and Employment Taxation Act 1947” to educate taxpayers, especially in the unorganised sector. “Our aim is to create an informed, aware and law-abiding citizenry,” he said. The Taxation Wing will also push for fully online collection at branch offices.
Regarding central funds, Warbah informed that the 16th Finance Commission has earmarked Rs 1,479 crore for Meghalaya’s Rural Local Bodies from 2025-26 to 2030-31. KHADC’s share for 2026-27 is Rs 85.50 crore, split into Basic and Performance Grants in an 80:20 ratio. He added that Rs 12.15 crore under the second instalment of the 15th Finance Commission Untied Grant 2022-23 is still awaited.
Warbah also told the house that the KHADC Members’ Pension Repealing Act 2026 has received the Governor’s assent, which “will further help augment the Council’s finances.”
