By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 6: The Education Department’s attempt to convince only a “section” of deficit teachers and lecturers of non-government school and college employees to accept the Centralised Provident Fund (CPF) Scheme, 2026, failed on Wednesday, forcing the department to convene another round of meeting with the teachers.
Commissioner and Secretary of Education, Vijay Kumar Mantri said the decision was taken after concerns were raised during a meeting held on Wednesday with representatives of the MCTA and KJDSTA.
Representatives of MCTA informed the department that since the matter concerning the CPF scheme is presently sub judice before the High Court of Meghalaya, they would refrain from making detailed comments at this stage.
KJDSTA expressed concern that representatives from other regions, particularly from Garo Hills, were not present. The association also suggested that deliberations should, for the present, remain confined to deficit teachers and lecturers.
Taking these concerns into account, the department decided to organise another round of consultations involving representatives from different parts of the state to ensure broader participation before taking further steps.
The All Meghalaya Primary School Teachers’ Association (AMPSTA) requested the department to organise awareness programmes on the provisions and operational aspects of the newly notified CPF scheme. The department welcomed the proposal.
Meanwhile, on the issue of retired teachers and lecturers, the department took a positive decision. It directed SBI officials to furnish detailed statements of all concerned employees by May 10. After verification by the concerned directorates, authorisation will be issued to enable eligible retired teachers and lecturers to withdraw the full accumulated CPF amount.
The department has also invited retired teachers and lecturers who wish to opt out of the CPF scheme to submit an undertaking to the concerned District School Education Officer or the Directorate of Higher and Technical Education.
With regard to the implementation of the CPF scheme, the department said it will await the outcome of the matter pending before the High Court of Meghalaya.
