After months of agitation by employees of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), the Meghalaya Government has finally succumbed to their demand, with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announcing that the state government will be paying salaries for all autonomous district councils from November 1, 2025.
“We as a government have decided that coming November 1st, 2025, the government of Meghalaya will be paying the salaries for the different autonomous district councils,” the chief minister announced.
Acknowledging the deepening fiscal crisis, Sangma pointed out that GHADC alone requires “Rs 70 plus crores annually, whereas the revenues don’t even touch Rs 30 crores,” leaving a yawning gap between income and expenditure. He admitted that the Jaintia Hills and Khasi Hills Autonomous District Councils were also grappling with similar financial distress.
Calling the councils “a very important institution in our state” and “a symbol of our culture and traditions,” the chief minister said the state’s intervention was unavoidable. “It is absolutely necessary for the state government to ensure that not only do the councils work properly, but they also thrive and ensure that different aspects of our tradition and our culture and different aspects of land holding are taken care of,” he asserted.
Sangma announced that a committee would be formed to work out modalities within 45 days by engaging with Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills District Councils. He stressed that the decision would not dilute the independence of the councils. “I also want assure that District councils and the citizens at large that there will be no interference in the day-to-day functioning nor into the jurisdiction of the district councils. Our intention is only to bring financial stability, a proper system so that the councils are able to pay salaries on time and so that they can continue to function and work as per the mandate of the Constitution.”
The chief minister revealed that he had already consulted Governor and would place the matter before the state cabinet for approval. “Earlier today, I also had meeting with the governor and shared these different points. Took guidance from him. And as per his directions, these decisions are going to be finalised. And in the cabinet tomorrow, we will be officially taking these decisions to ensure that every aspect of what was discussed with the governor will be implemented in letter and spirit,” he affirmed.
