By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 16: The State Cabinet on Thursday approved the establishment of the Greater Shillong Waste Management Agency and its registration as a society.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that with Shillong witnessing rapid growth and urbanisation, waste collection and management are currently handled by multiple agencies across different jurisdictions. This fragmentation has resulted in coordination gaps and inefficiencies, affecting overall effectiveness across the city.
The decision follows extensive consultations with localities within the Greater Shillong Planning Area, which covers approximately 288.5 square kilometers. A majority of the localities have responded positively to the move.
“There is a clear and growing need to enhance the efficiency of garbage collection and waste management to meet the demands of a rapidly expanding urban population,” Sangma said.
He clarified that availing the services of the agency will not be mandatory, and individual localities will retain the flexibility to decide whether to use its services.
Real estate rules
The Cabinet has also approved an amendment to the Meghalaya Real Estate (Regulation and Development) General Rules, 2020, to standardise the remuneration of the regulatory body’s leadership.
The decision follows findings that existing provisions regarding the pay of the Chairman and Members were inconsistent with norms followed by other government agencies.
The Cabinet amended the rules to ensure uniformity and maintain parity across state institutions.
