Shillong, Apr 1: The state cabinet today approved the naming and renaming of several roads across the state.
These include renaming Blessed Mother Teresa Road to Saint Teresa Road, revising Rev Nichols Roy Road to Rev JJM Nichols Roy Road, naming the PWD road from Thorika Rabha to Nibari as Utpal Rabha Road, renaming the Pasyih Garampani Road (PG Road) to Phramer-Shangpung-Saphai Road and naming the road from Wahthapbru locality towards Jaiaw Pdeng, passing through Mission Compound, as Dr Friday Lyngdoh Road.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma also explained some of the other decisions made in cabinet today.
He said the cabinet has approved a one-time measure to address long-standing issues related to the service conditions of regularised ad hoc employees, particularly concerning seniority, promotions and pension benefits.
“There was confusion, especially for those who had retired, on whether their pensions should be calculated based on their regularised posts or the posts they were promoted to. We have approved a one-time condonation to recognise promotions carried out as per due process, which will now allow eligible employees to receive salary and pension benefits based on their promoted posts,” he said.
The cabinet also cleared the implementation of the Meghalaya Non-Government School and Colleges Employees Centralised Provident Fund Scheme 2026. The CM noted that although employees in non-government institutions have been contributing under existing provisions, there was no formal government-backed structure to manage these funds.
“With this approval, we now have a structured mechanism in place, and employees will be able to access provident fund benefits in a more secure and organised manner,” he added.
In a move aimed at boosting investment and encouraging cleaner fuel adoption, the cabinet agreed to reduce the VAT on methane gas used as compressed natural gas from 14.5 per cent to 5 per cent, bringing it in line with other states. Sangma said the decision is expected to make Meghalaya more competitive and attract agencies interested in establishing operations in the state.
Among other decisions, the cabinet approved the Meghalaya State Allied Health Council Rules 2026 along with the Meghalaya Science and Technology Cell Service Rules. It also gave the nod to the Meghalaya Integrated Economics and Statistics Service Rules 2026 and the Meghalaya Subordinate Integrated Economics and Statistical Service Rules 2026.
