Retirement benefits for Municipal board staff
SHILLONG: With the employees of the Municipal Board not getting retirement benefits, the High Court of Meghalaya has summoned Additional Chief Secretary in charge Urban Affairs as well as Principal Secretary, Finance Department during the next hearing on the matter scheduled for April 19.
During the hearing on the matter on Thursday, as per the order issued on March 15 by the High Court , the Director Urban Affairs and Chief Executive Officer, Municipal Board appeared before the Court.
Justice SR Sen in his order observed, ” It appears that they could not disburse the retirement benefits of the petitioners due to constrains of fund. But this answer is not sufficient to deny the rights of petitioners. Since the Municipal Board is running in the absence of an elected body and controlled directly by the Government through its officers, in my considered view, the Government is duty bound to pay the retirement benefits of the petitioners”.
According to the Court, before passing any order, or taking any decision, it wanted to hear from the Additional Chief Secretary in charge Urban Affairs as well as Principal Secretary, Finance Department.
While both the officials will appear on the next date of hearing on April 19, the Court said that personal appearance of Director Urban Affairs and CEO Municipal Board is dispensed.
