Tura, Feb 19: Expressing disapproval over the long-due salaries of employees, the All Garo Hills SSA School Teachers’ Association (AGHSSASTA) has warned the state government that it would resort to agitation if their salaries are not cleared before March 1.
Alleging misappropriation of centre-sanctioned money in the hands of the state government, the group has served the MDA government with the above ultimatum for their full salary payment.
“It is clear that there has been no delay in the release of funds by the central government for the entire last year. This has been confirmed by us. When that is the case, why did the state government fail to clear our dues?” asked president of AGHSSASTA, LG Momin.
The teachers’ body also added that in case their demands remain unfulfilled even by the March 1 deadline, they will close down schools and begin an intense agitation from March 2.
“We have been compelled to do so as we cannot teach on empty stomachs – no one can. This thought should not be so hard to understand for anyone, including the state government,” added the teachers.
It may be mentioned that the SSA teachers have not received their monthly salaries since October last year. The teachers have alleged that the state government always tried to point fingers at the central government, every time, for its failure to release the funds timely whereas it was the state government which misappropriated the funds kept SSA teachers’ salaries pending.
“We are suffering with no money for our children’s admission fees, electricity and other domestic needs due to the non release of five months pending salaries by the state Government. While we are dying for our daily needs, SSA teachers from our neighbourhood (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh etc) are getting their regular dues without a problem,” asserted the teachers.
