Meghalaya Cabinet Approves MSME Reform and Shutters Cherra Cement

Shillong: The Meghalaya Cabinet approved the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Facilitation of Establishment and Operation) Ordinance, 2026. This move intends to slash regulatory hurdles for entrepreneurs. It streamlines how businesses secure licenses, registrations, and no-objection certificates. Processing times should drop. The system starts with white-category industries that do not need pollution control clearances. Regulatory frameworks remain, but administrative friction decreases.

In a separate action, the Cabinet finalized the closure of the state-run Meghalaya Cherra Cement Limited. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma confirmed the government cleared all employee dues. The state will now write off approximately 24.43 crore rupees in liabilities. This total includes 8.9 crore in sales tax and 15.53 crore in royalties. Sangma explained the logic behind the financial move: "Since MCCL is a government-owned company, the pending liabilities would otherwise involve transfers between the state government and its departments." This write-off avoids extra financial strain on the state while formally shutting the company down.