TURA: The NPP led Executive committee in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), headed by Chief Executive Member Dipul R Marak, is hoping for a last minute change of mind on the part of the agitating employees, who have announced an indefinite strike over the non-payment of their salaries, after a marathon discussion between the elected MDCs and leaders of the employees association on Tuesday.
The indefinite protest is due to take place from Wednesday onwards.
A three member team of Non-EC MDCs, former Chairman Metrinson G Momin, current Chairman Denang T Sangma and Levastone T Sangma, held discussions with the leaders of the employees association to clear the air on the current financial situation in the district council while simultaneously appealing to them to call off their proposed stir.
The association leaders have not given their word, so far, and maintain that a general meeting will take place on the morning of the agitation in which the views of the employees will be taken on whether to go ahead or withdraw the stir.
“It was a positive and constructive meeting with the employees association leaders. We briefed them on yesterday’s EC meeting and also informed them about the steps being taken to improve the financial position of the council. The employees association also put forward certain issues concerning revenue collection which has been taken note of,” said Metrinson G Momin who was part of the three member delegation to hold discussions with the association.
While the EC deputed delegation highlighted the steps being taken for streamlining the revenue generation, plugging of loopholes and rectification of past mistakes, the association leaders wanted transparency in the collection of revenue and deposit of the same in the council treasury.
There have been allegations in the past about absence of any paper trail in the collection, deposit and withdrawal of revenue from the treasury. The association has been steadfast in their demand that there cannot be any financial mismanagement.
Questions were also raised as to how allotment of rooms in a five storey building belonging to the GHADC and located in the heart of Tura super market area were being given away at dirt cheap prices.
Prices for as low as a thousand rupees per room have allegedly been allotted for business even though the market rate is much higher. The association is demanding room rent ought to be at par with the current market prices.
On the utilization of money from the council treasury, the delegation clarified to the association that in the last six months since the new NPP led EC took over, only twenty lakh rupees was withdrawn for miscellaneous purposes.
“From the Rs 20 lakh allotment the electricity bills of the various council departments were cleared,