The Meghalaya Cabinet has cleared a series of key decisions aimed at strengthening the state’s health systems, workforce governance, and administrative efficiency.
In a major move for the health sector, the Cabinet has approved the Meghalaya Pharmacist Service Rules, formally introducing structured service regulations for pharmacists for the first time in the state. This gives Meghalaya’s pharmacy workforce a defined framework for appointments, service conditions, and career progression.
Alongside this, the Cabinet also approved the Meghalaya Mental Healthcare Rules, creating a long-awaited regulatory framework for mental-health facilities and rehabilitation centres. Until now, many institutions providing mental-health and related services had been functioning without formal guidelines, leaving oversight and service standards inconsistent. The new rules aim to streamline operations, ensure accountability, and expand access to quality mental-health support across the state.
The government also confirmed and regularised the appointments of 221 bonded nurses, 116 ANMs and 58 paramedic staff appointed between 2008 and 2012, following a detailed review of procedures and documentation. These positions had earlier been flagged for re-advertisement, but the Cabinet has now validated the appointments, ending uncertainty for these frontline workers.
Beyond health-sector reforms, the Cabinet approved simplifications in lease-land renewals by delegating key powers to the Deputy Commissioner to speed up the process. Amendments to the Meghalaya Judicial Service Rules, 2006, and the Higher Judicial Service Rules, 2015, were also cleared, including the newly mandated requirement for proficiency in Khasi or Garo for judicial recruits.
