Shillong, 10 July (HS): In a significant move to modernize its legal and administrative systems, the Meghalaya government has formally implemented three newly framed criminal laws and simultaneously decided to do away with interviews for Group D posts.
The decision, taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, aligns with the Centre's directives and carries the consent of the Meghalaya High Court. These changes are part of a broader push by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to strengthen legal proceedings and enhance transparency in recruitment.
The newly adopted legal frameworks include: Meghalaya eSakshya Management Rules, 2025: Enacted under the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), this rule mandates the digital uploading of electronic evidence through the eSakshya mobile app, using a unique 16-digit code. The system is integrated with the CCTNS and ICJS platforms to ensure evidence remains secure and tamper-proof during trial.
Meghalaya Electronic Processes, Issuance, Service and Execution Rules, 2025: Drafted under Section 64 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), this rule facilitates the electronic delivery of summons—referred to as e-Summons—to streamline court and police communications.
Meghalaya Guidelines for Community Services, 2025: Aimed at humanizing punishment for minor offences, this framework allows courts to assign community service such as school maintenance, hospital support or forest conservation activities in lieu of traditional penalties.
“These reforms mark a major leap forward in legal and governance practices for Meghalaya,” Chief Minister Sangma said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
Additionally, the Cabinet has resolved to discontinue the practice of interviews for Group D recruitment. This step is intended to promote greater transparency and is consistent with advisories from the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions.
In a decisive move to place Meghalaya on the cinematic map of India and beyond, the state Cabinet on Wednesday gave its nod to the Meghalaya Film Tourism Policy, 2025. The newly approved policy aims to position the picturesque hill state as a favoured destination for filmmakers.
Announcing the development, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the policy was finalised after incorporating suggestions from over 200 stakeholders. “Inputs received on the draft have helped shape a comprehensive policy that meets the aspirations of the filmmaking community,” he stated on his official social media handle.
A central feature of the policy is the creation of a Film Facilitation Cell that will streamline coordination between key departments such as Tourism, Arts & Culture, DIPR, and others, to ease the filmmaking process and promote the state across various platforms.
The policy offers tiered financial support for diverse types of content:
For national and international feature films, the state will provide incentives of up to ₹1 crore or 25% of the production cost, provided that at least 75% of the shooting takes place in Meghalaya and the film highlights the state’s tourism.
Local language films (in Khasi, Pnar, or Garo) will be eligible for subsidies up to ₹50 lakhs. However, each filmmaker can avail of this benefit once every two years.
Television and OTT content, including serials and web shows shot in the state, will also be incentivised under the scheme.
Short films and documentaries filmed in Meghalaya will receive financial grants to encourage diverse storytelling.
The policy is expected to not only attract filmmakers but also create employment opportunities, promote local talent, and project Meghalaya’s unique landscapes and culture on a global stage.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
