The budget session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly began on a ceremonious and historic note on Monday, with Governor CH Vijayashankar addressing the House after the playing of the National Song Vande Mataram, the National Anthem Jana Gana Mana and the State Anthem — a first-of-its-kind prelude before the commencement of a budget session in the state. The rare musical invocation lent a distinct sense of occasion to the proceedings, underscoring both symbolism and substance as the government laid out its governance roadmap.
Setting the tone for the session, the Governor outlined an ambitious push to fortify law enforcement and infrastructure across Meghalaya. “We are committed to strengthening our police force, recruitment for almost 3,000 vacancies is nearing completion. In the past year, the various proposals to strengthen police infrastructure have been taken up under Police Infrastructure Renovation Fund. The construction work of 14 police housing projects is progressing swiftly which will strengthen the overall efficiency of the police force across the state.”
In a significant boost to the state’s internal security apparatus, the Governor highlighted the operationalisation of the Counter Insurgency & Jungle Warfare School in Baghmara, describing it as a milestone in sharpening Meghalaya’s preparedness against emerging threats. The facility is expected to train specialised units for high-risk counter-insurgency and anti-terror operations, strengthening the state’s tactical capabilities in vulnerable terrains.
