Tura(Meghalaya), May 29: Chief minister, Conrad Sangma, today assured all assistance to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) in an effort to solve the imbroglio surrounding the non-payment of salaries of employees of the GHADC.
He also appealed to the employees of the Council to return to work while the government and the executive committee of the GHADC work out ways to clear pending salaries of employees at the earliest.
The decision to assist the GHADC in resolving the crisis at hand comes after a high level meeting between the chief minister, senior officials of the District Council, finance and legal departments, the CEM and Deputy CEM of the GHADC.
Employees of the GHADC, under the aegis of the Non Gazetted Employees Association (NGEA), has been protesting the non-payment of their salaries of over 34 months and have refused to rejoin work. Last week was the most chaotic since the start of the employees’ agitation with FIRs and counter FIRs being filed by the employees (NGEA) as well as the Council administration.
The NGEA has been seeking the release of their pending salaries in the revised pay-scales of the 5th pay commission of the state – a promise that was made by the previous NPP led EC.
The CM today, May 29, informed that the state government would provide all support to the GHADC in an effort to clear the pending dues of the employees but also appealed for them to get back to work.
The transfer of 5 month’s salary to the employees is expected to be started next week and would be advancements provided from the minor minerals and MV Tax.
Meanwhile, after the meeting with the state officials, the CEM, Benedict Marak once again appealed to the employees to return to work and assist the GHADC to get back on track. He further added that 5 months salary was being advanced by the state to the GHADC.
Government of Meghalaya has decided to support and help the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) in their difficult time. Details have been worked out by concerned Departments post the deliberations held today. pic.twitter.com/eIwvvqTsyL
— Conrad K Sangma (@SangmaConrad) May 29, 2021
