SHILLONG, MAY 25: Over Rs 100 crore has been earmarked for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme of Mawmluh Cherra Cement Ltd (MCCL) employees, with two of the three instalments already paid, NPP legislator from Sohra Gavin M Mylliem said on Monday.
The golden handshake was approved in March last year after employees agreed to the government’s VRS proposal, he told reporters.
“The decision for extending the golden handshake was taken last year in the month of March where all the employees were in line with the proposal of the government to give a golden handshake, VRS, to all the employees of the MCCL,” Mylliem said.
He acknowledged the cost to the exchequer.
“We do understand that the financial implication on the part of the state government is huge. I think it is around Rs 100 crore plus even for the golden handshake to move forward,” he added.
Though the government initially set a three-year timeline to disburse the full package, Mylliem said two instalments were cleared within a single financial year.
“The government has given a commitment during that time that they will be completing this whole financial assistance towards the employees within three financial years but in fact I am grateful to the government under the leadership of our chief minister Conrad K Sangma for within one financial year, they have already completed 2 installments out of 3 installments,” he said.
Only one tranche remains, estimated at around Rs 27 crore.
“So now we are left with only one more installment to be completed… Roughly, it is around 27 crore if I am not mistaken,” Mylliem said. “I am very hopeful that in the coming months, the government will complete giving the full financial assistance to the employees of MCCL.”
Asked about the future of the MCCL plant site, Mylliem said the land falls under Hima Sohra and the lease expired four years ago.
“That is a fit question to be asked from the MCCL management what they are trying to do with that plant but with regards to that land, since that falls under Hima Sohra, the area where the plant has been set up totally falls under Hima Sohra,” he stated.
“Of course, if I am not mistaken the lease with regards to that particular land ended in the year 2020. So currently I think it is in the hands of Hima Sohra to decide with regards to the land,” he added.
