In a significant push for administrative growth and rural development, the Manipur Cabinet has greenlit several major policy decisions during a meeting held on Friday. The state leadership officially approved the recruitment of 764 personnel for the Manipur State Rural Livelihoods Mission alongside the adoption of the Manipur Motor Vehicles Aggregator Rules, 2026, designed to bring app-based taxi operations under a proper regulatory framework.
Expanding Rural Livelihoods Staff
Processed under Agenda 7, the approved recruitment comprises 637 contractual positions and 127 casual posts. This total incorporates 708 vacancies originally cleared back in 2021 along with 56 newly added positions. While the National Mission Management Unit operating under the Ministry of Rural Development will handle the selection of contractual staff, casual personnel will be engaged locally by respective Deputy Commissioners. These measures are tailored to reinforce programs that assist rural women in establishing Self Help Groups and elevating their incomes, including the Lakhpati Didi initiative, spanning all 70 blocks across the state.
Salary Sharing and Examination Logistics
The estimated annual salary expenditure for these newly sanctioned posts totals Rs 25.74 crore, which will be funded through a 90:10 cost-sharing mechanism between the Centre and the state. To ensure maximum accessibility for all applicants, recruitment examinations will be organized at convenient locations across the region.
New Regulations for Ride-Hailing Services
Under Agenda 8, the Cabinet formally adopted the Manipur Motor Vehicles Aggregator Rules, 2026, to oversee app-based transportation networks such as Uber, Ola, and Rapido. These regulations make it compulsory for aggregators to secure official licences while guaranteeing stringent driver verification, proper vehicle fitness checks, and enhanced passenger safety. The framework also introduces transparent, regulated fare structures to shield commuters from arbitrary pricing.
Driver Welfare and Reduced Fees
Drivers associated with these aggregator platforms will receive strong financial safety nets, including health insurance coverage of Rs 1 lakh and term insurance protection amounting to Rs 3 lakh. Furthermore, the state has set licence fees and security deposit requirements significantly lower than standard central guidelines, encouraging transport operators to expand their services throughout Manipur.
