TURA: The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council issued a ‘no work, no pay’ order on Wednesday, a day after talks with protesting employees fell through.
Over two thousand non-gazetted employees of the GHADC began their indefinite strike on Wednesday and refused to budge even after appeals by the council authorities.
“We had a long discussion with the leaders of the agitation a day earlier, clarifying the situation to them and appealing for cancellation of their strike so that the offices can function smoothly since this is revenue collection season. Much of the revenue to be collected would ultimately go into payment of their pending dues, but it is unfortunate that they have refused to listen,” said GHADC Chairman Denang T Sangma who was part of a three-member non-EC delegation that met the leaders on the eve of the strike.
) A day earlier, chief executive member Dipul R Marak issued a notification directing the employees to attend work.
“Two major annual festivals for Christians and Hindus, namely Christmas and Durga Puja, are approaching. If the indefinite strike continues then collection of all revenue will be stopped causing more financial problem to the GHADC even to meet the payment of salaries,” warned the CEM in his notification.
He added that sales at haats (markets), which begin from October, would also be hampered causing delay in revenue generation.
With the striking employees turning down the plea, the NPP led Executive Committee held an emergent meeting on Wednesday afternoon where it was decided to go with “no work, no pay” directive against the agitating employees.
“How can any establishment remain closed indefinitely? Offices have to function because hundreds of people concerned with council work are coming from far flung areas of Garo Hills everyday,” pointed out Chairman Denang T Sangma.
The executive committee, in its emergent meeting, is also contemplating legal action against those allegedly “instigating” the employees to go on strike.
Denang clarified that the NPP-led EC headed by Dipul Marak had cleared four months’ dues within six months of coming to power. “This included leave salary, gratuity and monthly salary,” he added.
With a notification directing officers and council judicial officers to attend to their work stations, there was some semblance of life in the otherwise empty corridors of the oldest autonomous body in Garo Hills.
“Officers attended and signed on the register placed in the office of the CEM,” informed an MDC from the ruling dispensation.
