Tura, July 23: The second day of the ongoing Monsoon Session of the GHADC saw scenes of protest after the Opposition MDCs moved for an adjournment seeking a discussion over 42 months of salaries due to the employees.
The protesters comprised five MDCs from TMC — Cherak Momin, Pardinand D Shira, Alphonsyus Marak, Rinaldo Sangma and Agassi Marak — and lone BJP MDC from Tura, Bernard Marak. The MDCs then moved to the site of the venue, William Point, where the current protest by employees demanding at least a year’s salary be paid, led by the Non Gazetted Employees Association (NGEA), was being staged.
“We walked out as the ruling section did not want to discuss a pressing issue that is currently causing havoc in the Council. We thought that this serious crisis needed discussion and that is why we moved for a motion on the matter. However, despite the seriousness, the deputy Chairman refused the motion leaving us no choice but to walk out,” said Bernard.
Bernard added that over the past three years, the GHADC has earned enough revenue to work on clearing pending dues. This, he said, was obtained through an RTI filed with the District Council Affairs department in Shillong. At last count, a total of over Rs 131 crore has been received through various channels (excluding central grants). These revenue sources include the royalty from MVI and minerals (major and minor).
“The Council also has its own revenue that is also a substantial amount and could have been used to pay salaries. A huge amount of money has been received but it has not been properly utilized to pay the pending salaries and that is why it has accumulated to 42 months. If it was cleared annually, this would not have happened. We wanted to discuss the ground reality as the state and Council’s information was not tallying. Unfortunately we could not,” added the Tura MDC.
He added that the issue of pending salaries rose on a yearly basis and after protests, the employees would be assured of some amount of pay. As per the employees, in 2023, 6 months of pay was released to them while in 2024, the number was for 5 months. This year, the salary count has been stuck at one month.
The Tura MDC stated that despite the money generated by the GHADC through various channels, the backlog continues to go higher.
“Everyone is aware that money is being generated but no matter how much we generate, salaries are not paid and continue to pile up. Council employees have been continuing their work despite not getting payments. They have sacrificed while knowing that so much revenue has been generated and that is why the protest,” added Marak, adding that they too were the victims of the same system as their salaries are pending as well.
He lambasted some MDCs of the ruling coalition, who he said were flaunting new cars and money even as others struggled to survive. “Some of the ruling MDCs are openly misusing funds and flaunting new cars and money. We don’t know where this protest is going to go but we are wary,” claimed the BJP MDC, representing the Opposition.
Talking of his earlier statement where he spoke of an attempt to do away with the GHADC, Bernard stated that a former leader had spoken about doing away with the Council.
“There is an attempt to highlight the Council as a corrupt organization. The non-payment of 42 months’ salaries aligns with this. The duties of the Council which are enshrined in the Constitution are being taken away by the state. This is a deliberate attempt to undermine the GHADC and in the long run spells doom for the future,” he added.
