TURA, Sep 19: In a significant decision, the Non-Gazetted Employees Association (NGEA) on Friday rejected the 10-month salary offer made by the Executive Committee of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), asserting that they would continue their silent sit-in protest until all pending wages are cleared.
On Thursday, the GHADC secretary had made an offer to clear 10 months of salaries along with the remaining dues in three instalments, though no timeline was provided.
The NGEA had announced that they would take a final call after holding a meeting with members and stakeholders on Friday.
Following the meeting, NGEA president Brithen Sangma confirmed the rejection. “We want the clearance of our entire pending dues before the resumption of work,” he said.
The NGEA protest has now entered its third month, leaving the Council completely non-functional. Initially, the demand was for 12 months’ salary, but it has since expanded to include all pending dues, with opposition MDCs, CSOs, and residents extending their support. The region is also set to witness a two-day night road blockade on Sep 22-23, which has been described as a “public-enforced night curfew.”
GHADC panel meets MDCs, organisations
The GHADC Reforms Sub-Committee, chaired by Deputy Commissioner and Chairman Vibhor Aggarwal, held a series of meetings with MDCs of the GHADC and representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to deliberate on the ongoing salary crisis and the broader framework of reforms for the council.
In the meeting with the MDCs, discussions centred on a proposed monthly bailout package from the state government to address the salary crisis, along with feedback on wider reform measures. MDCs sought clarifications regarding the modalities of salary disbursement, and it was explained that while the state government would extend financial support, the GHADC would continue to retain control over salary management to preserve its autonomy. The role of the state government, it was underlined, is to provide assistance to stabilise the present situation while enabling long-term reforms. The Sub-Committee assured that all points raised by the MDCs would be placed before the state government for consideration.
In the subsequent meeting with civil society organisations, there was broad agreement on the need for long-term reforms, though differences emerged on how these should be implemented. Representatives of CSOs and other groups stressed that no reform measures should undermine the autonomy of councils under the Sixth Schedule. This concern was addressed with an assurance that the state government has no intention of interfering with the independence of the GHADC and that reforms will be framed with this principle in mind.
Civil society groups also highlighted the urgency of resolving the salary crisis and suggested the creation of an escrow account to ensure transparency and prevent misuse of funds. Clarifications were provided that the specific modalities of the bailout package would be worked out by the state government, with all feedback taken into account.
The Sub-Committee reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the views of all stakeholders are conveyed to the state government, and that both immediate concerns such as salaries and longer-term reforms are addressed in a way that strengthens the council while respecting its autonomy.
