By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 14: Teachers and employees from deficit schools and colleges staged a dramatic walkout on Thursday from a meeting called by the Education Department to discuss the Meghalaya Non-Government School and College Employees Centralised Provident Fund Scheme, 2026.
The meeting, chaired by Commissioner and Secretary Vijay Kumar Mantri, saw strong objections from the participants over the presence of individuals who were neither deficit employees nor representatives of non-government institutions.
Speaking to reporters after the walkout, Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers Association (KJDSTA) president Boswell Pala accused the government of acting in an “untrustworthy” and “highly unethical” manner.
Pala said the association objected to the participation of unrelated persons, the attempt to abolish the Board of Trustees, and the failure to invite all deficit employees’ representatives. Despite their protest, the meeting continued in their absence.
“To our surprise, discussions took place even after we left. Suggestions and presentations were made and later accepted by the department, leading to orders that seriously affect deficit employees,” Pala alleged.
He claimed a recent government notification allowing employees to opt out of the Central Provident Fund (CPF) was designed to place deficit employees at risk. Pala questioned how non-deficit individuals could make decisions on their behalf, especially after they had left the meeting.
The KJDSTA president also criticised the government for pushing ahead with the 2026 Scheme while the matter is still pending before the Meghalaya High Court, despite earlier assurances of a proper meeting.
“We understand the hidden agenda of the government in trying to implement the 2026 Scheme. The main objective appears to be an attempt to avoid the legal cases filed by deficit teachers and employees,” he alleged.
He further claimed that the issue has created widespread confusion and resentment among deficit employees, particularly retirees.
Pala urged the government to fully implement the earlier Scheme 2023 along with the National Pension System (NPS).
