Meghalaya announces FCRA cell, airport expansion, and civil service reforms

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has announced several state-level initiatives focused on administrative efficiency, infrastructure, and education. The state government will establish a Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) cell within the Home Department. This cell aims to assist local organisations with application and renewal processes by coordinating directly with the central government in Shillong, reducing the need for travel to Delhi.

In infrastructure development, work has commenced on the runway expansion at Shillong Airport in Umroi. The project seeks to extend the runway from 1,829 metres to 2,400 metres, with the goal of accommodating larger aircraft by 2027. The state has earmarked ₹150 crore for the project in the 2026-27 budget.

To strengthen local governance, the Meghalaya Cabinet has approved a dedicated paper on state history, culture, and economy for the Meghalaya Civil Service (MCS) examination. Additionally, the state launched the ASCENT 2026 initiative to support youth pursuing competitive exams like UPSC, providing financial incentives through the CM-INSPIRE scheme.