Shillong, Feb 17: The Meghalaya cabinet on Wednesday has approved the appointment of 45 junior engineers in the PHE department for the early completion of the Jal Jeevan Mission in the state.

“The Appointment of the 45Junior Engineers is based under Grade I (Civil) under Regulation 3(f) of MPSC (Limitation of Functions) Regularisations, 1972,”

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said while addressing media persons after the cabinet meeting.

“This was needed as there is an urgency to have additional manpower against the shortage for the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission as you are aware the target for Meghalaya is (to complete within) 3 years,” he said.

The cabinet also approved the Amendment of the Meghalaya Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2006.

Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said, “Due to Covid financial situation. GoI allowed States to borrow an additional 2% and accordingly, the FRBM Act needed to be amended and an ordinance was passed to amend the Act to allow the State Government to take 5% of the overall GDP as debt which initially was at 3%. “