Shillong, July 8: The Meghalaya Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, on Wednesday approved four major proposals aimed at strengthening higher education, agriculture, tourism and information technology infrastructure across the state.
Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Sangma announced that the Cabinet had approved the allotment of 50 acres of land in the New Shillong Township for the establishment of St. Xavier’s University.
He said the university authorities had initially sought 100 acres of land from the State Government. Following detailed deliberations, the Cabinet approved the allotment of 50 acres at a concessional rate of ₹1 lakh per acre.
Describing the move as an investment in Meghalaya’s future, the Chief Minister said St. Xavier’s is a reputed educational institution with national and international recognition. He expressed confidence that the university would enhance higher and technical education in the state while creating greater opportunities for students from Meghalaya and the wider North East.
The Cabinet also approved the purchase of 3.972 acres of land at Mawkhanu-Lusken Block for the establishment of an Integrated Lakadong Turmeric Processing Plant.
Sangma said the project forms part of a Government of India initiative encouraging each Northeastern state to promote a flagship product. Meghalaya selected Lakadong turmeric, citing its premium quality and growing demand in international markets.
The processing plant is estimated to cost around ₹187 crore, with nearly 72 per cent of the funding to be provided by the Central Government through the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and the Ministry of Agriculture. The remaining cost will be borne by the State Government. The acquisition of land for the project is expected to cost approximately ₹1.7 crore.
In another significant decision, the Cabinet approved amendments to the lease agreement for Orchid Resort at Umiam, paving the way for its redevelopment into a five-star resort.
According to the Chief Minister, the private developer had sought permission to make fresh investments to upgrade the property. Under the revised agreement, the developer will be required to deposit ₹5 crore as security and share 4 per cent of the resort’s revenue with the Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), in line with the policy applicable to similar tourism projects in the state.
The Cabinet also sanctioned an additional ₹36 crore for the ongoing IT Park project at Umsawli.
Sangma said the original project, valued at over ₹120 crore, is nearing completion. However, the revised proposal includes additional office space, incubation centres, a larger cafeteria, improved interior works and a centralized air-conditioning system.
He said the revised project estimate had already been vetted by the Planning and Finance Departments. Since the cost escalation exceeded 25 per cent of the original estimate, the proposal required Cabinet approval under the government’s revised policy. The Cabinet subsequently cleared the additional expenditure.
