Govt releases new pay in advance

SHILLONG: The state government has issued a circular for employees to avail the new pay on Wednesday and Thursday.
The circular which was issued on Tuesday will help the employees to draw advance pay in view of Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The new pay scale is in accordance with the recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission followed by the decision of the empowered committee set up by the government.
The pay hike is calculated with a multiplier factor of 2.68 (more than two times) applicable to all levels of state government employees.
Unhappy over working days
There is resentment among the government staff over state government not allowing the employees to avail December 28 and 29 as holidays unlike the past which would have helped the employees from Garo Hills and other interior districts to be with their families without any break.
Earlier, NPP had also asked the government to review the decision which, however, was not accepted by the chief minister.
The Christmas holidays start from December 25 to 27, and according to the employees, the working days again on December 28 and 29, will compel them to return to their work places.