SHILLONG, June 25: In view of the “genine” proposal for increasing the salaries of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) non-teaching staff made by the All Meghalaya SSA Non-Teaching Staff Association, the state government announced on Tuesday that it is currently under review by the Finance department, which will make a decision based on the state’s financial capacity.
This announcement comes as the 15-day deadline set by the association for the start of their agitations ends tomorrow. In response, representatives of the association met Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma in his office chambers. “They met me, and we had a fruitful discussion. As a department, we have already proposed the hike, and the file is with the Finance department. The process is ongoing, and we are waiting for it to be completed,” said the Education minister.
He further stated, “Even the CM is aware of this development and will do the needful, with the Finance department taking care of it.”
When asked about the proposed percentage of the hike, Sangma noted, “It cannot be specified as 50 per cent or 60 per cent. It will be determined according to the financial strength of the state, as the demand is genuine.”
He reiterated that the Finance department would make the final decision based on the state’s financial strength. Addressing the impending deadline for protests, Sangma expressed confidence that the association would not proceed with their agitations. “We have appealed to them and requested their patience. Agitation and protest are not the solutions, although they sometimes expedite responses,” he said.
The minister revealed that there are approximately 1,200 SSA non-teaching staff across the state, with the last salary enhancement granted in 2016. Previous talks between the All Meghalaya SSA Non-Teaching Staff Association and Sangma had failed, prompting the association to announce its agitation programme. However, Sangma remains optimistic that the current discussions will prevent further protests.
