Rs 840 cr terminal benefits of MeECL employees pending

SHILLONG: The state government is yet to provide terminal benefits as on January 1, 2010, for the former employees as promised before the corporatisation of then MeSEB by the erstwhile government.
The pending terminal benefits of Rs 840.04 crore are for the employees whose services were terminated or due to downsizing of staff.
The joint action committee, MeECL, had also approached the new government under the leadership of Conrad Sangma for the release of terminal benefits of the employees.
MeECL had also submitted a proposal for financial assistance of Rs 840.04 crore.
The break-up is pension (Rs 720.06 crore), gratuity (Rs 54. 29 crore) and leave encashment benefits (Rs 71. 21 crore).
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma is yet to call a meeting with the MeECL joint action committee though a representation was submitted to him by the committee’s general secretary Arju Dkhar.
In the last letter addressed to the chief minister on July 25, the committee said there is a need to have a discussion regarding the financial assistance for the employees’ terminal benefits and pension.
The committee wanted to know from the government what action has been taken for the terminal benefits as committed prior to the corporatisation of MeSEB, which is statutorily mandated as per the provision of the Electricity Act, 2003.
The joint action committee also brought to the notice of the chief minister that due to the non-receipt of committed financial assistance, the employees and the retired persons of the corporation have to suffer for not getting their rightful dues in time such as monthly pay, arrear accumulated due to division of pay scale,
reimbursement of medical bill, payment of overtime and other benefits.
On May 4 this year, another letter was sent by the joint action committee to the chief minister.