Meghalaya Govt announces decision to pay salaries of 3 ADCs

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 25, 2025

In a significant move to support the financial stability of autonomous district councils in Meghalaya, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday announced the state government’s decision to pay the salaries of employees in these councils starting November 1, 2025. 

Accordingly, a committee has been constituted to work out the implementation details, engaging with all district councils within 45 days.

This decision comes after detailed discussions with the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).

Sangma said the GHADC faces a significant deficit between revenue and expenditure, with annual salary requirements reaching up to Rs 70 crores, while revenues do not exceed Rs 30 crores. 

Similar financial problems are observed in the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) and, to some extent, in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).

Stating that the ADCs are important institutions and are a symbol of the culture and traditions of the state, Sangma said, “Hence, 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.”

“Keeping this aspect in mind, we as a government have decided that coming November 1, 2025, the government of Meghalaya will be paying the salaries for the different autonomous district councils,” he announced.

Terming it as a historic moment, the CM said, “Once the salary are paid, the different district councils can then focus on the different areas of concerns and development aspects and different traditional and aspects of culture.”

Sangma also announced that the procedure to ensure the government’s decision is implemented in a proper manner will be worked out by a committee that will engage with all the district councils namely, the KHADC, JHADC and GHADC.

“This committee will take 45 days to ensure that they engage with all the councils and ensure that these systems are in place so that the salaries can be paid to the district councils by the State government,” he said while assuring that there will be no interference in the day-to-day functioning or 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 CM maintained.

The chief minister had also met the Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankar and apprised him of the government’s decision.

“…as per his (governor) directions and guidance, these decisions are going to be finalised. 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 in spirit,” he stated further.