Shillong, May 29: Amid the uproar over non-payment of salaries to the employees of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Council, Benedic R. Marak on Saturday released a statement that the State government has assured to release five months of advance from minor minerals and MV Tax to the Council to help it tide over the current crisis of non-payment of salaries to its staff.

In a video statement shared by Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma on his facebook page, Marak said, “I want to inform the employees of GHADC that today I had a discussion with Chief Minister regarding the issue of pending salaries for 34 months. He has assured to release five months of advance from minor minerals and MV Tax.”

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 Sangma (@SangmaConrad) May 29, 2021

He said the transfer of funds to the council is expected next week.
He also appealed to the employees of the council who are agitating to return and resume their works and accept their salaries.

According to reports, the salaries of the employees in the last 2 years were cleared on several occasions. The Non – Gazetted Employees Association (NGEA) of GHADC had even demanded for the revised pay scale which was promised by the former EC. They mentioned that the outgoing EC led by NPP had assured that employees of the Council would be given revised 5th pay scale.

Meghalaya CM assures support to resolve GHADC crisis

Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma on Saturday informed that the state government will provide all the support it can to help the GHADC clear the pending salaries.

The Council has not been functioning for the past three months, since the employees have been on strike demanding for the payment of their salaries which is due for three years now.

Sangma informed that a meeting was held with the Chief Executive Member (CEM), Deputy CEM, Senior officials from the District Council, members from State Finance Department, Legal Department, DC Affairs and the Chief Secretary to discuss the prevailing situation in the GHADC.

Sangma said the government has been apprised of the overall situation there, and realised that they have to move things forward and the several commitments made by the GHADC to its employees; they want to fulfil those commitments.

The chief minister also clarified that there is a lot of discussion and pressure stating that the state government must clear the salaries of the Council, but it needs to be understood that the Council is an autonomous body, and its working and financials are independent.
He added that the financials are not linked directly with the state government, so the Council will have to resolve these issues and the state government is there to support them.

“What is important is that the employees, the Executive Committee (EC) and the Council have to work together. There is a new EC, new people have come in, so therefore it is a good opportunity to change things and find a solution,” he said while appealing to the employees to resume their duties so that files and paperwork moves forward which will enable the payment of their salaries at the earliest.