Revised pay possible only after Revenue Assessment is done- Dy CEM
Tura, Sept 20: On a day the staff of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) began a fresh agitation demanding revised pay package and return of their suspended leaders, Deputy Chief Executive Member (CEM), Nikman Ch Marak has told that all decisions relating to new pay scales can be taken only after the Revenue Assessment study is completed and its report tabled before the Executive committee.
Hundreds of staff belonging to GHADC have, since last year, been asking that they be paid their monthly salaries under the 5th pay scale and the demand has been supported by a majority of the workers because they have not been receiving their dues for about two years.
Salary disbursement under 4th Pay Scale
The latest salary disbursement is due to begin at the end of this week, whereby four months of pending salaries are going to be released to all the staff under the old pay scale. This amounts to approximately Rs 4 Crore of the GHADC collection, each month.
According to the Deputy CEM, Nikman Ch Marak, four months of salary due to be released this week to the employees will be in the old scale as the demand for new scale will not be feasible since the amount being handed over is Rs 20 crores.
He said the cheque or LoA is being brought over by CEM Benedic R Marak who went to attend the Meghalaya Assembly Session.
5th Pay Scale to put additional burden of Rs. 2 crore on GHADC each month
Under the new pay scale, the GHADC will have to release additional two crores rupees, totaling Rs 6 crore each month in staff salary payment.
“Under current financial constraints we are able to manage Rs. 4 crore each month, but under revision it is not possible until we can generate fresh taxes and revenue. That is why we have begun a Revenue Assessment study as the first step to see where we can raise or create new taxes and also generate regular revenue. We have to wait for the assessment report,” stated Deputy CEM, Nikman Ch Marak.
“We also have to remember that salary payment under the new revised structure is not only confined to monthly disbursement of pay. There is also the increment factor which needs to be periodically given to all the employees. All these incur a huge financial payout which is why it is of utmost importance to prepare an assessment report,” added Marak.
