Govt examining regularisation demand of MeECL staff

SHILLONG, Sep 15: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told the Assembly on Thursday that the government is examining the demand for regularisation of 1,802 casual employees of the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL). Replying to a Zero Hour notice moved by TMC’s George B Lyngdoh, Tynsong asserted that the demand for regularisation was of great concern for the Corporation and added that it has not fallen on deaf ears. Tynsong reminded the House that the government has to intricately examine the legal and financial implications on the Corporation before considering the demands. Tynsong, who holds the Power portfolio, said that in order to streamline the engagement of casual workers, the MeECL has introduced a contract agreement with a validity of one year which would be renewed annually. He said the benefits extended to the contractual staff include provident fund coverage as defined under the EPF Act, 1952, subsidy on coverage of Megha Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS), casual leave, earned leave, maternity leave and payment of overtime. The salary will be enhanced based on the experience/tenure of service of the casual workers. Earlier, while moving the Zero Hour notice, Lyngdoh mentioned that the casual employees of MeECL were demanding regularisation. The Umroi MLA recalled that in June, 2018, the employees and the MeECL had reached an agreement wherein some benefits were to be provided the staff. He said the employees were agitating since they were unsure about the status of the mutually agreed terms and whether MeECL was intending to implement the same.