Agitating staff to take a call today on GHADC EC offer
From Our Correspondent
TURA, Sep 18: In what can be deemed a major breakthrough, the Executive Committee of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) has offered the protesting employees of the Council a 10-month salary payment to resolve the current crisis, with a promise to clear the remaining 34 months’ dues in three separate instalments.
The latest development comes even as GHADC employees, led by the NGEA, have demanded the clearance of their entire 44 months’ dues. The protest for salaries began more than two months ago and has continued despite overtures from the GHADC as well as the state government to work towards a solution.
The employees of the GHADC had initially demanded the clearance of 12 months’ dues before resuming work. However, with the protest drawing no response from the GHADC administration and the movement gaining support from civil society organisations (CSOs), the demand grew to include the complete backlog.
Since then, the protest has continued to gain momentum, with more CSOs and residents taking up the cause. The demands have now expanded to include the implementation of the GCL, framing of service and finance rules, the creation of a separate electoral roll for the GHADC, among others.
Upon being contacted, GHADC CEM Albinush Marak confirmed the development, while stating that the backlog would be cleared in three separate instalments, albeit no timeframe was provided for when the remaining dues would be paid.
Meanwhile, NGEA president, Brithen Sangma, also confirmed the development but said a final decision would only be taken after a meeting with various stakeholders.
“We have been given the order but can only take a decision on what we will do after speaking to everyone involved. The decision on what to do will be taken tomorrow after talking to everyone,” informed Brithen when contacted.
Night curfew
Meanwhile, residents, with the support of various CSOs, have called for a new night curfew on September 22 and 23 to support the protesters’ demand for pending salaries, among other issues.
The public-enforced curfew will begin at 9 pm and end at 5 am on both days.
The CSOs that are supporting the night curfew include the GSU, FKJGP, ADE, FAF, AYWO and several others.
