Shillong, July 31: The All Meghalaya SSA Non-Teaching Staffs Association (AMSSANTSA) on Wednesday kicked started its indefinite sit-in-demonstration after rejecting the state government’s decision to enhance the salary of 1037 non-teaching staff under SSA by 25 percent instead of 80 percent as demanded.

Commissioner & Secretary incharge education, Vijay Mantri, met the agitating staff at the protest venue at Malki ground during evening time and assured that the state government will take a call on their demands by Thursday.

“I’ve met them and listened to them. The demands have been conveyed to Hon’ble CM. Tomorrow Hon’ble Chief Minister has called an urgent internal meeting with officers to discuss and decide on their demands. Hon’ble CM also spoke to them overphone and informed them that the government would consider their demands positively,” Mantri said.

On July 26, the government’s decision to enhance the salary by 25% was conveyed by the Special Officer incharge Education department in a letter to the State Project Director, Samagra Shiksha (SEMAM) & Director of School Education & Literacy, Meghalaya.

The letter read: “In inviting a reference to the subject cited above, I am directed to convey government’s approval for 25% enhancement of salary of the office staff of Samagra Shiksha (Non-Academic) at the state, district and block MIS, DEO and accountant with effect from the financial year 2024-2025 (i.e. April 1st, 2024). This approval is issued in pursuance of Finance (EA) Department’s letter dated July 18, 2024. This has the approval of the “Competent Authority”.”

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the protest, finance secretary of the association Ricky Shullai said, “We have got a letter from the Director of DSEL on the government’s decision to enhance our salary by 25% but during the general body meeting, we have unanimously decided to stick to our demand for 80% enhancement plus 5% annual increment. This is because the last enhancement was done way back in 2016.”

“Therefore, we have decided to stage this indefinite sit-in-demonstration to demand the state government to consider enhancing our salary plus two percent increment based on seniority and five percent annual increment,” he said.

“Also the indefinite sit-in demonstration is not to protest against the state government but it is to demand for our rights,” he added.

Shullai further stated, “Keeping in mind that eight years have lapsed, we have met the education minister and officials of the education department for their necessary intervention and action but till date there has been no positive response to our demand,” while adding “We have decided that we will continue with our agitation till the government is ready to fulfil its promises which is to enhance our salary.”

There are a total of 1037 existing non-teaching staff under the SSA programme of which 35 are at the state level, 295 district and 707 block.

Meanwhile, the state government would require an additional amount of Rs. 3.19 crore to implement its decision to enhance the salary of the SSA non-teaching staff by 25 percent. “The annual financial implications for the current financial year is Rs 15.98 crore from the existing annual budget of Rs 12.78 crore, a difference of Rs 3.19 crore,” the education department said.

The agitating staff also conveyed to the commissioner & secretary that they will also sit and decide on the outcome of the meeting to be convened by the chief minister on the issue.

Also Read: Holiday for schools in Shillong for Durand Cup opening ceremony on Aug 2

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