Shillong, August 19: The Meghalaya Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, on Wednesday approved six legislative proposals related to private universities in the State, including Bills for the establishment of two new universities.
The meeting was held at the Chief Minister’s official residence. Briefing the media after the meeting, Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla said all six proposals pertained to the Education Department and would be placed before the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
Among the proposals cleared was the Maharashtra Institute of Technology University of Meghalaya (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The amendment seeks to designate the Governor of Meghalaya as the Visitor of the university, replacing the existing provision under which the Visitor is appointed by the sponsoring body.
The amendment also proposes to increase State Government representation on the university’s governing bodies. Government representation on the Board of Management would rise from one to two members, while representation on the Board of Governors would increase from two to three members.
The Cabinet also approved the Mahatma Gandhi University (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which proposes similar changes. Under the amended provisions, the Governor would serve as the Visitor, while the number of government representatives on the university’s key governing bodies would also be increased.
Another proposal approved was the Martin Luther Christian University (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The amendment seeks to bring the university’s governing Act in line with regulations of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Under the proposed changes, the university’s operations would be restricted to Meghalaya, as the State Legislature cannot authorise a university established under its law to operate beyond the State’s territorial jurisdiction.
The amendment would also remove provisions relating to distance education and the affiliation of colleges, which are not permissible under the applicable UGC regulations.
The Cabinet further cleared two Bills for the establishment of new private universities in Meghalaya, one of which is the Presbyterian University Meghalaya Bill, 2026.
All six Bills will now be introduced before the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly for consideration and approval.
