By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 30: The Meghalaya government has approved of nearly Rs 50 crore for the cash-strapped Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) so it can clear the long-pending salary arrears of its employees and ensure regular payment of wages from November 1.
Announcing the decision on Tuesday, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the package comprises Rs 24-25 crore from the GHADC’s share of state taxes and another Rs 25 crore as advance to cover around 12 months of backlog. The funds will be deposited in an escrow account to guarantee that they are used exclusively for salaries.
Sangma said the decision was taken following a detailed discussion with the sub-committee and the Executive Committee (EC) of the GHADC. “The Cabinet decided to release in advance the council’s share of state taxes and royalty. With this, they will be able to clear a certain amount of backlog and pay salaries on time,” Sangma told reporters.
He clarified that this is not a bailout package or special intervention.
The decision followed recommendations from a committee set up under the District Council Affairs Department, which recently submitted its report after holding consultations with the GHADC.
The chief minister said the GHADC has agreed to accept the appointment of an IAS officer as Principal Secretary, with a proposal to make the Deputy Commissioner the ex officio Principal Secretary. Sangma added that while the EC will work out the modalities, the state’s responsibility is to ensure the release of funds so that employees receive their dues without further delay.
A majority of the GHADC’s 1,200-1,300 employees have signed documents accepting the financial package, with around 800 of them submitting written consent.
Sangma reminded that the state government has consistently extended support to the GHADC over the years.
“In the last four-and-a-half years, salaries of about 42 months have been cleared, much of it through additional advances released by the government,” he said.
