Shillong June 12: The Meghalaya cabinet on Friday approved the proposal brought in by the sports and youth affairs department for taking possession of over 64 acres of land at Umsawli as part of the preparations for hosting the 39th national games in 2022.

Deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters that the land is meant for the construction of the games village.

He said that since the land at the New Shillong Township was being looked after by the state urban affairs and GAD, the sports and youth affairs department has requested for taking possession of the land, and the same has been approved by the cabinet.

The cabinet also approved the adoption of Swiss Challenge Method of Procurement in Meghalaya

The Swiss Challenge Method of Procurement is a new form of public procurement, wherein a government invites bids for a public project, and then publishes the bid, before inviting competing counter proposals to either match or improve the initial proposal.

Citing an example, Tynsong said that if one unique idea came up from an individual on how to implement a project, such unique initiative, the government will study the DPR through a committee chaired by the Chief Secretary.

“If the Committee found the idea and DPR feasible, it will be sent to the government for approval and float a tender for implementing the projects,” Tynsong said, adding that a number of states have adopted an office of memorandum for this.