Demand for CM’s invite to discuss demands by April 9
Shillong, March 17: Muster roll workers of various departments have threatened to launch intensified agitation over their various demands including implementation of official orders issued from Personnel department.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) Meghalaya Muster Roll Workers’ Union they hold an indefinite sit-in demonstration if Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, who is in charge of Personnel and Finance departments, did not invite them to discuss their demands by April 9.
“Today’s meeting marked the beginning of intensified agitation,” JAC chairman K Pariat told reporters after the Union’s meeting on Tuesday.
He said the chief minister had assured to discuss their muster roll workers’ grievances with the Union in January, but he is yet to meet them.
Pariat pointed out that many muster roll workers, eligible to retire at 60, were being forced out at 58 and that departments held by the Chief Minister had failed to apply the official orders.
“It is not that we want the chief minister to meet us,” Pariat said, “but the fact is because the personnel and finance departments are portfolios held by him.”
He said in December the Chief Minister asked them to “be patient” and promised to meet them in January and also to examine the VDA issue, but to no avail yet.
The JAC cited unimplemented wage revisions for unskilled, semi‑skilled and skilled workers, delays of up to three months in pay, and non‑application of Regular Casual Workers rules in a PHE wing that employs 3,000‑4,000 muster rolls.
In sericulture, handloom and weaving, women tending silk worms are paid only once in nine months, he said, and handloom workers have received no salary since July.
“We have unanimously decided to call for an indefinite sit-in-demonstration (if there is no response by April 9). We, however, hope that the chief minister will invite us for talks so that we get clarity,” Pariat said.
“If permission is not granted, we will not hesitate to come out to the street,” he warned.
The JAC chairman said repeated letters from the Personnel department “remain only in paper”, leaving staff without benefits despite official orders.
“…many letters and communications have come out from the personnel department but…they remain only in paper as they are not being implemented by the government offices.”
He questioned whether “the officers did not get the order or it is just because they wish not to implement,” citing an order that muster roll workers retire at 60, but the departments are forcing them out at 58.
On wages, Pariat said people who have worked for more than five years should see enhanced pay for unskilled, semi‑skilled and skilled categories, “but the officers are not implementing this.”
