Meghalaya Approves Rs 50 Crore to Clear GHADC Salary Arrears

The Meghalaya government has sanctioned nearly Rs 50 crore to address the financial crisis faced by the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), enabling the council to clear long-pending salary arrears for its employees and ensure timely wage payments starting November 1, 2025.

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced the decision on October 1, 2025, emphasising that the funds will support the council’s workforce and stabilise its operations.

The financial package includes Rs 24-25 crore from the GHADC’s share of state taxes and royalties, supplemented by an additional Rs 25 crore advance to cover approximately 12 months of salary backlogs.

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To ensure transparency, the funds will be deposited into an escrow account dedicated exclusively to employee salaries. Sangma clarified that this is not a bailout but a strategic release of the council’s entitled funds.

The decision followed extensive consultations with a sub-committee and the GHADC’s Executive Committee, as well as recommendations from a committee under the District Council Affairs Department. 

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The GHADC has also agreed to appoint an IAS officer as Principal Secretary, with a proposal to designate the Deputy Commissioner as the ex officio Principal Secretary. The Executive Committee will finalise the implementation details, while the state government focuses on ensuring prompt fund disbursement.

Approximately 1200-1300 GHADC employees are set to benefit, with around 800 having submitted written consent for the financial package. Sangma highlighted the state’s ongoing support, noting that over the past four-and-a-half years, the government has facilitated salary payments for about 42 months through additional advances.