SHILLONG: A pressure group from Jaintia Hills, Jaintia Youth Front (JYF) has questioned the state government over the disbursement of salaries to SSA teachers even as RTIs reveal contradicting claims from the state and central government.
Socio economic secretary of JYF, Wanbun Dkhar had filed an RTI with the ministry of human resource development (HRD), department of school education and literacy and the deputy director of school education and literacy, Meghalaya.
The HRD ministry, department of school education and literacy replied that as per the Project Approval Board’s minutes 2017-18, an amount of Rs 29829. 39 lakh has been estimated for teacher’s salary in Meghalaya.
Furthermore, the RTI stated that as per the SSA framework, the fund would be released in two installments each year- in May and September/October.
The government of India would release an ad hoc grant in April every year and this would be followed by release of balance of first installment while the second installment will be based on the progress in expenditure and the quality of implementation, the RTI stated.
Meanwhile, the RTI from the deputy director of school education and literacy, Meghalaya and PRO stated that SSA school teachers’ salary would be released to the accounts of SSA District Unit Office subject to availability of funds on receipts of government of India and state share.
The RTI added, “Almost in every year central share of funds for implementation of SSA activities is not received on time.”
Further, it pointed that as per the SSA norms periodicity of release of teacher’s salary is quarterly. However, the release of salary on quarterly basis depends on availability of funds.
On the other hand, the RTI from HRD ministry pointed out that the utilisation of certificates from the districts to the states should be submitted as and when the funds are utilised but before the release of further installment.
Dkhar was also informed by the RTI from the Union ministry that as on March 31, 2017, a total of 21, 756 teachers were working under the SSA scheme in Meghalaya.
The RTI from the state deputy director of school education and literacy said the delay in the release of teacher’s salary was due to delay in receipt of government of India and state share into the accounts of state project office and stated that the delay is beyond the control of State Project Office.
“We are going to write to the central government very soon relating to the issues. Where is the amount of money that the central government sent?” Dkhar said, while speaking to reporters.
