SHILLONG : The Meghalaya Cabinet on Wednesday approved a series of major proposals aimed at expanding higher education, strengthening tourism infrastructure, boosting the State’s technology sector and increasing value addition in agriculture.
Announcing the decisions after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the government had cleared four key projects that are expected to generate investment, create employment and support long-term economic growth across different sectors. St Xavier’s University gets Cabinet approvalIn a major push for higher education, the Cabinet approved the establishment of St Xavier’s University in Meghalaya. The government will allot 50 acres of land at Mawkhanu at a concessional rate of around ₹1 lakh per hectare following detailed discussions with the university authorities.
According to the Chief Minister, the university is expected to strengthen higher and technical education in the State while creating new opportunities for students from Meghalaya and the wider Northeast. He said the institution’s reputation for academic excellence would help raise the standard of higher education and contribute to building a skilled workforce.
Orchid Resort to be upgraded into a five-star property
The Cabinet also approved amendments to the lease agreement for Orchid Resort at Mawkasiang in New Shillong, paving the way for its development into a five-star resort. Under the revised agreement, the developer will make a one-time payment of ₹5 crore and contribute 4 per cent of the annual turnover to the Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC). The government believes the project will encourage private investment, improve tourism infrastructure and generate employment while supporting the State’s growing hospitality sector.
Expansion approved for Shillong Technology Park
To strengthen Meghalaya’s IT ecosystem, the Cabinet approved a revised Administrative Approval for the construction of the second IT Park building at the Shillong Technology Park campus in Umsawli, New Shillong. While the main structure is nearing completion, the revised approval provides for additional plug-and-play office spaces, a larger cafeteria, a modern auditorium and centralized air-conditioning to meet the requirements of national and international technology companies. The additional works are estimated to cost ₹36 crore. The proposal had been examined by the Planning and Finance Departments before being placed before the Cabinet, as required under the State’s revised policy for projects involving cost revisions exceeding 25 per cent.
Lakadong turmeric processing plant gets green light
The Cabinet further approved the purchase of 3.972 acres of land at Thadmuthlong in Laskein Block, West Jaintia Hills, for setting up an Integrated Lakadong Turmeric Processing Plant. The project forms part of the Government of India’s initiative through the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), which identified Lakadong turmeric as Meghalaya’s flagship agricultural product. With an estimated investment of ₹187 crore, the project will be largely funded by the Central Government, while the State Government will contribute around ₹30–35 crore. Once completed, the processing plant is expected to enhance value addition, improve market access and increase income for turmeric farmers.
The initiative also builds on the State’s Lakadong Turmeric Mission launched six years ago, which seeks to establish Meghalaya as a leading producer of premium-quality Lakadong turmeric.