SHILLONG, OCT 15: The state government has released Rs 79.5 crore to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) for clearing pending salaries of its employees.

Out of the total amount, Rs 11 crore is towards dues payable to the GHADC, while Rs 68.5 crore is an advance payment against future royalties.

Announcing this on Wednesday, chief minister Conrad K Sangma said, “We have cleared an amount of Rs 79.5 crores to the GHADC, out of which about Rs 11 crores is their dues which is there right now with us and the rest of the Rs 68.5 crores is an advance we are giving towards their share of royalty from the future.”

According to him, the amount has been sanctioned and released to the escrow account, specifically meant for salary disbursement.

“With this amount, the GHADC will now be in a position to release the 12 months’ backlog to its employees,” Sangma added.

The chief minister stated that the only condition put forth by the state government is that the Principal Secretary will monitor the finances to ensure the funds are used only for salary purposes.

“We have stressed that reforms should take place, service rules should come into place and revenue collection should go up. We are hoping that when all of this falls into place, we will see some kind of financial stability (in the GHADC),” he said

Sangma emphasized that this is not an additional amount given to the GHADC, but rather an advance payment from their own share of royalties.

The state government is extending the offer to the other two ADCs – the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) and the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), for providing similar assistance. However, the decision to participate will be left to the respective councils.

“The other ADCs (JHADC & KHADC) have not come up with their reports to us yet and we will work with the ADCs…This offer is on even with the JHADC and KHADC. We are not here to force anyone, we are here to work together and to support in any way possible. If the councils agree, it is only then will we find a way to work together and to move forward,” the CM concluded.

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