SHILLONG, JUL 27: The Meghalaya Cabinet on Monday approved a slew of decisions including the upgradation of the New Shillong Township Development Agency into an authority, setting up of a research wing, and an amendment to the state GST Act.  

Briefing the media after a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Cabinet Minister Marcuise N Marak said the Cabinet has approved amendments to the New Township Development Agency Rules, 2012.  

“The agency has now been reconstituted as the New Shillong Development Authority. Earlier it functioned as an agency. With this change, it will now operate as an authority,” Marak said.  

The Cabinet also approved the creation of a Research Wing under the Meghalaya Border Areas Department.

“The Research Wing has been approved. The department will now frame the necessary service rules and initiate all required formalities,” the Minister said. 

For Independence Day 2026, the Cabinet nominated VIPs to take the salute at district headquarters across the state.

“Officers will consult ministers to finalise which district they would like to visit for the August 15 celebrations,” Marak said.  

In another key decision, the Cabinet approved an amendment to the Meghalaya Goods and Services Tax Act by way of an ordinance.
“This is in line with decisions taken by the GST Council, Government of India. Any resolution passed by the GST Council has to be adopted by the state Cabinet. We have approved it as per GST Council guidelines,” he added.