SHILLONG, June 17: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has decided to reject the state government’s proposal to address recurring delays in salary payments to council employees through enhanced administrative oversight.
Seiborlang Warbah, the Executive Member in charge of Finance, disclosed the decision while replying to a question raised by Nongpoh MDC Rona Khymdeit during the opening day of the Council’s summer session on Wednesday.
Warbah informed the House that the Council received a communication from the District Council Affairs Department regarding a central government proposal to constitute a sub-committee to consult with the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) on issues related to the payment of salaries to officers and staff. The proposal was prompted by concerns over the financial difficulties faced by the district councils from time to time, which have often resulted in delays in the disbursement of salaries.
According to Warbah, one of the key terms of reference of the proposed mechanism was the appointment of a senior IAS or MCS officer as the Principal Secretary to the Council to monitor salary payments and oversee related financial matters.
Providing the proposal’s background, he said the state government initiated discussions with the ADCs following repeated concerns about their financial health and periodic salary crises faced by the employees due to the limited revenue base of the council.
Warbah said he, along with the Chief Executive Member, attended a meeting of the sub-committee convened at the Deputy Commissioner’s office to discuss the proposal.
While acknowledging that KHADC continues to face financial constraints, Warbah maintained that the Council was not in “acute financial crisis” that would warrant immediate acceptance of the proposal.
“We do not deny that the Council faces financial challenges. However, we have not yet reached a stage where the situation can be described as acute financial distress,” he said.
The Executive Member stressed the seriousness of the issue, which directly concerns the Council’s financial autonomy and functioning.
He said the Executive Committee felt the proposal required wider consultation and careful examination before any decision could be made, adding that the Council was not willing to rush into accepting a mechanism that could have long-term implications for its administration and financial management.
Warbah informed the House that after deliberations, the Executive Committee decided not to accept the proposal in its present form and would instead continue exploring measures to strengthen the Council’s financial position while safeguarding its autonomy.
