Shillong, Sep 2: The State government has launched the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Hospitality Scholarship Program, a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at nurturing young talent in the hospitality sector.
Cabinet Minister Paul Lyngdoh told reporters on Tuesday that the scheme seeks to encourage students to pursue higher professional education in hospitality, equip them for global opportunities, and strengthen the state’s skilled workforce.
Under the program, the government will provide 100 per cent tuition fee support to students admitted to the B.Sc. in Hospitality and Hotel Administration course at IHM Shillong.
A total of 55 students—one from each block of Meghalaya—will benefit every year. The scheme will run for three consecutive batches, supporting 165 students in total.
To be eligible, applicants must be permanent residents of Meghalaya, have passed Class XII with English as a subject, and belong to families with an annual income below Rs 3,00,000 (with valid income certificate). There is no age restriction.
Nominations will be made by the Block Development Officer (BDO) based on merit and interest, while the final selection will be conducted by a State Level Selection Committee in consultation with IHM Shillong. The Tourism Department will notify the list of selected candidates.
The minister also underlined the discontinuation clause, stating that if a candidate drops out midway, the scholarship will be withdrawn and the student will be required to refund the tuition fees already disbursed.
The government has earmarked an investment of Rs 6.06 crore to support the scheme, which works out to about Rs 3.67 lakh per student over five years.
Lyngdoh said the program reflects the state’s vision to create a pool of skilled professionals in hospitality, a sector with immense potential for Meghalaya’s future.
