Meghalaya is facing a staggering government job deficit of nearly 67,500 positions, a concern flagged by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma in the state assembly on Tuesday. With almost 70,000 young people entering the job market every year, the state government finds itself in a tight corner, able to accommodate only around 2,000 to 2,500 candidates in government departments.
Highlighting the challenge, the Chief Minister said that nearly 7,000 vacancies across various departments are already in the recruitment pipeline, but these numbers remain a fraction of the demand. “There is a deficit of around 67,500 jobs in the government sector, which is why the government is coming up with a holistic plan to cater to the 70,000 youth eligible to join the workforce,” Sangma explained.
To bridge the gap, the state has rolled out a broad-based employment and skill development programme under the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS). The initiative will operate through 34 centres spread across the state, with trained counsellors guiding young people into career opportunities in at least 25 sectors ranging from banking and defence services to engineering and hospitality.
A major thrust will be on career counselling, a component Sangma described as critical for empowering young people to make informed career choices. “We want to ensure that every youth has access to guidance, whether it is for defence jobs, engineering, or opportunities in the private sector,” he said.
Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma welcomed the move but stressed that the programme must include “handholding support” for aspirants preparing for competitive and defence service examinations. In response, the Chief Minister assured that the career counselling plan was designed to provide targeted guidance to meet these specific requirements.
As part of its long-term strategy, the state government has incorporated employment generation goals into its ‘Vision 2030’ roadmap. According to the projections, the tourism industry alone could create over 54,000 jobs in the coming years, particularly in hospitality and transport-related services such as drivers, guides, and support staff.