By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 15: The Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers’ Association (KJDSTA) has warned of democratic protests if the Meghalaya government fails to address its demands by January 15, 2026, particularly the enhancement of Dearness Allowance (DA) for deficit school teachers to 51%—on par with regular government employees—along with the release of pending arrears.
The decision emerged from a KJDSTA gathering held at Malki Ground on Monday. Later, leaders of the association, accompanied by a large group of teachers, submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma at the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
As teachers gathered outside the Main Secretariat’s entrance, security personnel closed the gates as a precautionary measure.
In the memorandum, KJDSTA president Boswell S. Pala highlighted the ongoing stagnation of DA for deficit teachers at 43%, despite the government’s recent hike to 51% (effective July 1, 2025) for regular employees.
“As per prevailing rates, deficit teachers are entitled to 51% DA, yet it remains frozen at 43%. Despite repeated representations to your office, no action has been taken,” Pala wrote, noting the resulting financial hardship and distress for thousands of teachers.
The association urged immediate action to align DA with government employees and release arrears from previous revisions.
In addition to the DA hike demand, the KJDSTA sought the Chief Minister’s intervention on several urgent matters, including expediting the full implementation of the Centralised Provident Fund system, immediate release of Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity to retired teachers, ensuring that the MEGH-SIMS portal is error-free, and speeding up the process of filling vacant deficit posts in schools across the state.
The association also demanded payment of winter allowance and other admissible allowances, and sought assurance of regular and timely payment of salaries to all deficit school teachers.
Expressing hope for a positive response, the KJDSTA urged the government to treat the matter with urgency and seriousness in the interest of justice, equity and the welfare of deficit school teachers, while reiterating its warning of democratic agitation if the demands are not met within the stipulated timeframe.
