Tura, May 10: The agitating employees of the GHADC under the banner of Non-Gazetted Employees Association have refused to call off their four month long strike despite being called for a meeting with the new Executive Committee headed by Chief Executive Member Benedic R Marak on Monday afternoon.

The CEM, in the presence of his Executive Committee MDCs and also the new Chairman of GHADC, Rakesh A Sangma, had invited the leaders of the NGEA for talks in his office chamber.

In the meeting CEM Benedic Marak had asked the striking employees to call off their strike and return to work from Tuesday.

He said that the Council was facing acute financial crisis as it had not functioned for over four months.

The CEM also announced to the NGEA leaders that with support from the state government they have managed to process salary for five pending months which would get released as soon as the council was able to function and process the salary slips.

But, the leaders of NGEA refused to accept and said that they will join work only if one whole year of dues is cleared with a revised pay scale.

The CEM along with Deputy CEM Nikman Marak and even Chairman Rakesh A Sangma requested the NGEA to understand the financial situation.

“As the new EC we have not even been able to sit and take up the matter because of the strike which has halted all work. You have to allow us to first take charge and see the situation otherwise how can anyone take up the issue,” said CEM Benedic Marak.
He told the strike leaders to give the new EC atleast two months to run the council.

“The new EC with great difficulty has been able to clear five months pending salary. Accept that and give them two months to find ways to clear the remaining dues. If it is unsatisfactory no one will stop you from protesting again, but you should give them a chance first,” said Chairman Rakesh A Sangma in his interaction with the leaders of the protesting group.

Deputy Chairman Nikman Marak also asked the NGEA to understand the problem and work together with the council authorities for the interest of everyone.

“No one can take away what is due to all of you. But the current financial situation is such that your demand for one year salary disbursement under revised scale is unable to be met. But, once the financial situation stabilizes all dues, including revised, can be given by way of arrears,” suggested Dy CEM Nikman Marak.

Despite the assurance and five month dues to be cleared, the striking employees rejected the proposal and decided to continue with their strike until one year salaries under revised scale is provided.