Itanagar, Jun 16: The State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, on Tuesday approved a series of landmark policy decisions and reforms aimed at accelerating economic growth, strengthening governance, improving public service delivery, generating employment opportunities and promoting inclusive development across Arunachal Pradesh.
MSME Ordinance
Among the key decisions, the Cabinet approved the promulgation of the Arunachal Pradesh Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Facilitation of Establishment and Operation) Ordinance, 2026, which seeks to simplify regulatory procedures and reduce compliance burdens for entrepreneurs.
The proposed ordinance will allow eligible MSMEs to commence operations through a self-declaration mechanism, subject to applicable laws and regulations. The reform is expected to promote the Ease of Doing Business, encourage first-generation entrepreneurship, attract investment, create employment opportunities and accelerate industrial growth across the State.
Shikshit Arunachal Mission
The Cabinet also reviewed the progress of the flagship “Shikshit Bharat to Shikshit Arunachal” Mission, under which the government has invested Rs 3,612.50 crore during Phase-I (2023-2026) to strengthen school infrastructure, teacher deployment, digital education, institutional reforms and learning outcomes. With a proposed Phase-II investment of Rs 1,500 crore, the total investment under the mission is expected to exceed Rs 5,100 crore by 2029.
Key achievements highlighted during the review included the rationalization of the school network from 2,890 to 1,885 schools, implementation of the Arunachal Pradesh Transfer and Posting Act, 2026 and the digital Teacher Registry Portal, establishment of digital governance platforms, improved CBSE examination results and significant expansion of educational infrastructure. The Cabinet noted that the mission has laid a strong foundation for a modern and future-ready education ecosystem in the state.
Simplification of Land Use Conversion Procedures
In another significant decision, the Cabinet approved amendments to the Arunachal Pradesh Land Settlement and Records Rules (APLSR), 2012 to simplify land-use regulations and remove procedural hurdles faced by landowners and farmers. Agricultural land falling within notified Master Plan areas will now be deemed automatically converted to the land use specified in the Master Plan, eliminating the need for separate permissions. The reforms are expected to facilitate planned urban development while reducing procedural hurdles for citizens.
CM-CSRRDP
Cabinet was also apprised of the implementation framework of the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive State Rural Road Development Programme (CM-CSRRDP), which aims to provide all-weather road connectivity to all unconnected habitations with populations below 250 by 2029.
Under the programme, a total of 1,129 habitations covering approximately 6,567 km of road network are proposed to be connected through phased investments of Rs 2,000 crore over the next three financial years.
AP Cooperation Policy, 2026
To strengthen the cooperative sector, the Cabinet approved the Arunachal Pradesh Cooperation Policy, 2026, aligned with the National Cooperation Policy, 2025. The policy seeks to revitalize cooperative institutions, strengthen digital governance systems, improve market access for agriculture and allied sectors and promote sustainable economic development.
Relief to job aspirants
Providing relief to job aspirants, the Cabinet approved a further one-year extension of the one-time upper age relaxation for candidates who had applied for recruitment examinations advertised by APPSC in 2022 but became ineligible due to delays in conduct of examinations.
The Cabinet also approved amendments to the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB) Rules, 2018, in line with recent amendments to the APSSB Act. Under the revised provisions, serving or retired officers of organized services with at least 20 years of regular service and holding Super Time Scale rank (Level-14 in the Pay Matrix) will be eligible for appointment as Chairman of the APSSB.
Regularization of RMSA teachers
In a long-awaited move, the Cabinet approved relaxation of recruitment rules (RR) for regularization of contractual services of erstwhile RMSA Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs) against 74 existing vacancies under the promotion quota of the Secondary Education Department. The decision is expected to provide service security to eligible teachers while strengthening the education sector.
Governance & Administrative Reforms
Several governance and administrative reforms were also approved, including a six-month extension of the tenure of the Arunachal Pradesh Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) till February 2027, inclusion of Divisional Commissioners as ex-officio members of the Commission and upgradation of the Member Secretary post to the rank of Joint Secretary and above.
The Cabinet further approved amendments to recruitment rules for various posts under the Departments of Civil Aviation and Horticulture, aimed at strengthening departmental manpower and improving service delivery.
To improve infrastructure development, approval was accorded for the establishment of the Aalo West Division of the Public Works Department through re-designation of the existing Executive Engineer (HQ) establishment under Aalo Civil Circle. The move is expected to enhance project monitoring and execution in the Aalo West Assembly Constituency without additional financial implications.
Labour sector reforms
In the labour sector, the Cabinet approved amendments to align state rules with the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, ensuring conformity with the prevailing national labour law framework.
The decisions taken by the Cabinet reaffirm the state government’s commitment to promoting economic development, strengthening governance, improving rural connectivity, supporting youth and teachers, enhancing ease of doing business and ensuring efficient public service delivery across Arunachal Pradesh.