Meghalaya Panchayat & Rural Development Department

The **Community & Rural Development Department** is the nodal agency for implementing rural welfare schemes in Meghalaya. Given the state's unique governance structure under the Sixth Schedule, the department works closely with traditional village councils (`Dorbars`) and Block Development Officers (`BDOs`) to deliver programs aimed at poverty alleviation, employment generation, and infrastructure development.

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1. Key Schemes & How to Access Them

The department implements a wide range of state and centrally-sponsored schemes. Applications for these schemes are primarily handled at the local level through the Block Development Offices and Village Councils.

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)

This is one of the most significant schemes, providing a legal guarantee of 100 days of wage employment. The process is as follows:

  1. Application: To get a job card, a rural household member must apply to the Block Development Officer (BDO) or the Village Council.
  2. Demand for Work: Once a job card is issued, adult members of the household can submit a written demand for work.
  3. Online Information: The official MGNREGA website allows you to check your job card status and view MIS reports.

National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)

Implemented through the Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society (MSRLS), this mission focuses on empowering women through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to enable them to take up self-employment activities. Interested women can join a local SHG to avail of loans and training.

Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G)

This scheme aims to provide `pucca` houses to eligible rural households. Beneficiaries are selected based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data and are verified by the Village Councils and BDOs.

2. Rural Governance Structure

In Meghalaya, the traditional rural governance structure plays a crucial role in the implementation of development programs:

  • Village Councils (`Dorbars`): These traditional bodies are the primary point of contact for villagers. They are responsible for local administration, resolving disputes, and implementing government schemes at the grassroots level.
  • Block Development Offices (`BDOs`): BDOs act as the official link between the state government and the village councils. They are the nodal point for all scheme-related applications, funds, and monitoring.

3. Important Helplines & Official Resources

  • Community & Rural Development Dept.: megcnrd.gov.in
  • State Rural Employment Society (SRES): megsres.nic.in
  • Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society (MSRLS): msrls.nic.in
  • National MGNREGA Website: nrega.nic.in
  • Department Office Contact:

    Phone: 0364-2225244

    Email: cnrd-meg[at]nic[dot]in

For details on schemes and job card information, visit the official government portals or your local BDO office:

Rural Development Portal

This link directs to an official government website for rural development services in Meghalaya.