Tura, Oct 6: Employees of the GHADC will receive 12 months of pending salaries by the 15th of October as the disbursement process gets underway, informed West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Vibhor Aggarwal. This will be the first instalment of payment (out of 43 months of total arrears) for the employees of the council.
Deputy Commissioner Aggarwal on Monday chaired a meeting with the Sub-Committee of the GHADC, the council employees and members of the Non-Gazetted Employees Association (NGEA) at Tura DC office to discuss the modalities for the salary disbursement, as approved by the State Cabinet.
“Today’s meeting agenda was to discuss the plan for disbursement of 12 months salary to them (employees) and how soon we can do that since the employees have returned to work, which is a positive sign,” said Aggarwal.
He added that the Sub-Committee formed to look into the council issue wants the disbursement, which has been approved by the State Cabinet, to take place at the earliest.
“We presented a plan to them and the aim is to ensure the disbursement happens by 15th of October, and currently, from the Council side, they are preparing the salary statement,” said DC Aggarwal.
In regards to opposition from certain quarters against the state government’s efforts to ease the financial burden of the autonomous councils by coming to its aid with plans to ensure timely release of monthly salaries by the first week of each month, beginning November 2025, the deputy commissioner acknowledged that some discussions did take place.
“Some discussion was done and the NGEA is still deliberating on that, and we are hearing that some are accepting it, but as of now, and till the 15th of October, we are focussing on releasing the 12 months salaries at the earliest. Ultimately, the acceptance of the monthly salary depends on the employees,” clarified DC Aggarwal.
During the meeting, the Sub-Committee presented a comprehensive salary disbursement plan, outlining the steps being undertaken to ensure that the disbursement process is completed by October 15.
Council officials informed that preparations are underway for compiling salary statements and necessary documentation to facilitate the release of funds.
The meeting concluded with an understanding that all stakeholders will coordinate closely to ensure that the salary disbursement is completed within the stipulated time frame, benefiting all GHADC employees.
NGEA “unhappy” with 12 months’ salary
Employees of the district council who’ve been protesting for their dues through the NGEA are reportedly unhappy with the announcement of the 12 months salary disbursement.
The NGEA President Brithen Sangma told media persons that although the association is not entirely satisfied with receiving only 12 months’ dues, they have agreed to accept it. However, he clarified that the employees have neither agreed to nor given consent regarding the regular salary, which is supposed to be provided from November 1 by the state government, as they have not been clearly informed about the source of the funds or given any written assurance.
He further stated that the NGEA will follow the collective decision of the people of Garo Hills regarding the acceptance of regular salaries, as it has now become a public concern.
The NGEA leader also added that, as per the discussion with the Sub-Committee, the 12-month salary should be disbursed in single instalment, warning that any deviation from the decision would compel the employees to resume their agitation.
