State asks Centre to release SSA salary

SHILLONG: School Education and Literacy Minister Deborah Marak has urged the Centre to release the fund for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan teachers’ salary in view of Christmas.
“The Centre must realise that this is festive season and they should release the money,” Marak told journalists here on Friday.
According to the Meghalaya Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Schools Association (MSSASA), the government is yet to release three months’ salary and eight months’ arrears of the 12,481 teachers in the state.
Marak informed that Principal Secretary DP Wahlang has gone to New Delhi to hold discussions on the matter.
“As soon as the state gets money, it will release the salary.
The central government has been reminded about the need to release the money at the earliest,” the minister said and added, “Though I am concerned but I am helpless as money comes from the Centre.”
‘Save higher education’
Different units under the banner of the Meghalaya College Teachers’ Association along with the affiliates of the All India Federation of University and College Teachers Organisation (AIFUCTO) joined a nationwide agitation on Thursday to ‘Save Higher Education’. A signature campaign was launched in support of their demand that will be sent through AIFUCTO to the HRD Ministry.