Tura(Meghalaya), Aug 6: The Non Gazetted Employees Association (NGEA) of the GHADC has expressed shock after the NPP led EC decided to suspend all executive members and terminate the president of the employees association through a meeting held on Aug 5.
The NGEA members who have been suspended have been identified as Brithen M Sangma (Secretary), Flamingbirth Marak (Joint-Secretary), Balseng M. Sangma (Adviser), Augustbel R Marak (Adviser) Henyirth Marak(Member), Mento Sangma(Member) and Francis Marak (Member) with the EC deciding to terminate president Senora Johny Arengh.
The NGEA stated that the reason for termination was that the reply to the show cause given to the NGEA members was not satisfactory though they alleged that the act was revenge against them for fighting against the injustices over their pending salaries in the 5th pay commission.
“Employees of the GHADC have been demanding for the overall improvement in GHADC and to eradicate corruption and irregularities since from the past 15 years till date. Instead of trying to improve, they have been trying to suppress us through show causes, suspension orders and termination,” said the NGEA members.
Earlier the principal secretary to the GHADC had issued a show cause to the leaders of NGEA for holding a meeting on Jul 22 over the non fulfillment of promises made by the CEM of GHADC a few months ago in the presence of NGOs, senior leaders and employees of the GHADC. The show cause had been issued over non compliance of COVID norms for the recent meeting on July 22.
“In compliance with the show cause, we have given our replies which they found unsatisfactory. During the public meeting, the CEM made assurances and promised to fulfill all our demands and also promised to give a written assurance but till date no written assurance has been given. We held the meeting to discuss the future course of action and to meet the CEM on our demands,” added the NGEA members.
Members of the NGEA had also written to the CEM on the matter with a meeting set to be held on Aug 6 though for various reasons the NGEA leaders sought a postponement.
“We were shocked and surprised to know that the EC decided to terminate the president and to suspend the executive members of NGEA. We expected such a move as they have been targeting us for fighting against corruption, irregularities and misgovernance. They only wish to suppress our voices as no salary has been cleared since 2018 till date,” they added.
The NGEA maintained that the reason for them being targets was to prevent and to stop them demanding justice.
“They are targeting us and taking us as militant outfit to suppress and oppress our voice against injustice but we will continue to fight against injustice, discrimination, oppression, irregularities and to eradicate corruption particularly by the present EC led by NPP.
The NGEA pointed to the CEM’s assurance on Jul 4 where he said that no show cause notice, suspension or termination would be issued against any of the member of NGEA but went back on his words which they said was a clear indication that the present CEM and EC and could not be trusted with words.
