Shillong, Nov 26: The Meghalaya cabinet has proposed establishing the Meghalaya Teacher Training Academy as an autonomous society under the Directorate of Educational Research and Training (DERT) to enhance teacher education, capacity building and professional development.
“This society will be run independently with professionals, as teacher training is a crucial part of improving our overall education sector,” Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said.
Sangma highlighted that different levels of teachers require tailored training programs, and an autonomous society would ensure focused efforts, unlike government departments with multiple tasks. “There are various funding agencies for teacher training, but they often work in silos. This society will centralise efforts, receive funds and deliver professional training,” he explained.
In a related development, the cabinet approved an Internal Revenue Generation Scheme for engineering colleges and polytechnics. Sangma said technical institutes like Shillong Engineering College and the polytechnic will now offer services such as architectural designs, consultancy, and studies. “This scheme allows our colleges to take up projects based on their capacity, boosting local expertise and earnings,” he added.
Meanwhile, approval was also given for the establishment of The Park University, a private university to be set up at Resubelpara, North Garo Hills.
The proposal, following the ordinance route, was thoroughly reviewed by the Private Universities Board, the Legal Department and the Education Department, including the background and credentials of the promoters, the CM said. The amended Private Universities Act will apply to The Park University.
OTHER CABINET DECISIONS:
Approval given for the Additional Households Electrification under Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). Under RDSS, many households and villages were electrified based on the old 2011 census. As a result, several newly formed villages and houses were left out. The central government has approved including these houses and has sanctioned nearly Rs 500 crore to cover an updated list submitted in 2022.
Approval given for availing a loan from the World Bank for the implementation of the Meghalaya Logistics and Connectivity Improvement Project (MLCIP), which represents the second phase of a World Bank-supported initiative, earlier known as the Meghalaya Infrastructure and Transport Project (MITP). The total project cost is estimated at $300 million (Rs 2450 crore) and 20 percent of this will be borne by the state government and the remainder by the World Bank. Of the loan, 90 percent will be repaid by the central government and 10 percent by Meghalaya. The loan will cover road development and logistical infrastructure improvements across the state.
Approval given for a proposal to standardise the supervision and establishment charges for utility-shifting works in road development projects implemented by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corp Ltd (NHIDCL). Utility shifting is a routine requirement in road projects but the charges levied by the executing agencies have often varied significantly. The government has now decided to fix a standardised rate, capped at 2.5 percent of the project cost.
Amendments to the Meghalaya Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy (MIIPP) 2024 were approved to simplify procedures and support local businesses. The definition of micro-enterprises has been revised from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 10 lakh to include more local entrepreneurs.
An amendment of Section 44 of the Megh Value Added Tax 2003 was approved to substitute the term “Bonded Warehouse” with “Central Bonded Warehouse”.
Earlier, VAT and ad valorem duties were collected at individual bonds. Meghalaya had already centralised ad valorem at the central bond and now VAT will also be collected at the central warehouse level. The government expects this will reduce leakage, speed up revenue collection and minimise discrepancies.
