From Our Correspondent
JOWAI, March 18: The Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC), Thombor Shiwat, presented a deficit budget of Rs 15.62 crore for the 2026-27 financial year on the opening day of the Budget Session on Wednesday.
The budget estimates total receipts at Rs 293.64 crore against a projected expenditure of Rs 309.27 crore leaving a deficit of Rs 15.62 crore.
Presenting the budget under Rule 109 of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous District Council Rules, 1951, Shiwat attributed the increased expenditure to employee salary hikes, pension payments, and various departmental activities. He noted that the Council has released the third and final installment (20%) of revised pay and pension arrears for its staff.
Regarding central funding, the Council received Rs 3.5 crore under the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) for 2025-26. During the same period, 48 infrastructure projects—including roads, water supply, school buildings, and community halls—were implemented across East and West Jaiñtia Hills through tied and untied grants.
The CEM also outlined several ongoing initiatives, including the preparation of the “District Fund Rules,” which will be tabled in the July session following state government approval. Other plans include the digitisation of Council forests, a new five-year Forest Department scheme starting in 2026-27, and a review of the JHADC Service Rules, 1981. The budget will be discussed on Thursday and is expected to be passed on Friday.
In other business, the House appointed Het Pohthmi as Chairman of the Planning Board and Octomewot Lamin as Chairman of the Resources Mobilisation Committee.
