Shillong,June 17: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) presented Rs 16.92 lakh deficit budget for 2026-2027
Tabling the budget during the first day of the summer session on Wednesday ( June 17), the Executive Member in-charge Finance Seiborlang Warbah said the total budget estimate is Rs 214,60,09,410 and the total receipt estimate is Rs 214,43,16,760
“I assure that this Executive Committee will never stop finding ways and means to further increase the Council’s revenue, improve the working system and carefully scrutinize expenditure so that it is always prudent,” Warbah said.
He urged the House to approve the estimates as the 3-month Vote on Account expires on June 30.
“As we all know, the Vote on Account for 3 months will end on the 30th of this month; therefore, the full budget for the year 2026-2027 has been placed before the House to enable the administration of the Council. The objective and basis of the budget allocation for the various departments is in accordance with the works we have to implement after carefully examining the Council’s income and expenditure,” he stated.
Before the budget details, Warbah informed the House of steps to protect community land.
“This executive committee has taken steps to put a cap on Raid lands after observing the rapid depletion of Raid lands through allotment of Raid lands to individuals and companies, running into tens of hectares. This poses a threat to the future of our descendants in terms of land for cultivation or for settlement, especially for the poor and underprivileged,” he said.
“Therefore, to protect and preserve Raid lands, the executive committee has decided to impose a ceiling on allotment of Raid lands by issuing a notification. This notification will be effective immediately but will not apply to lands acquired by the Central and State governments,” he added.
The budget proposes a Land Recording Officer with expertise in GIS to implement DILRMP and the KHAD (Regulation and Administration of Land) Act, 2021, amid a surge in Title Rights Certificate applications.
On revenue, Warbah said the executive committee released a bilingual pamphlet under the “Meghalaya Professions, Trades, Callings and Employment Taxation Act, 1947” to educate taxpayers, especially in the unorganized sector.
“Our aim is to create an informed, aware and law-abiding citizenry. Though it is just a small step, we believe ‘Small steps today, big changes tomorrow’,” he said.
The Taxation Wing will also push for fully online collection at branch offices.
For central funds, he noted the 16th Finance Commission has earmarked Rs 1,479 crore for Meghalaya’s Rural Local Bodies from 2025-26 to 2030-31, with KHADC’s share for 2026-27 at Rs 85.50 crore split into Basic and Performance Grants in 80:20 ratio.
Warbah spoke about an MoU with IORA Ecological Solution Pvt. Ltd for afforestation and carbon projects as he said the partnership aims to restore forests, preserve water sources and generate income for residents through carbon credits.
He said Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council Member’s Pension Repealing Act 2026 has received Governor’s assent, which will further help augment the Council’s finances.
