The State government has decided to enhance the salary of 1037 non-teaching SSA employees in the State by 25 per cent. However, the salary enhancement was rejected by the employees who stuck to their demand for an 80 per cent increase.
The order for the salary enhancement was issued by the State Project Director, Samagra Shiksha (SEMAM) and Director of School Education and Literacy, Meghalaya on July 26.
“In inviting a reference to the subject cited above, I am directed to convey government’s approval for 25 per cent enhancement of salary of the office staff of Samagra Shiksha (Non-Academic) at the State, district and block MIS, DEO and accountant with effect from the financial year 2024-2025 (i.e. April 1, 2024). This approval is issued in pursuance of Finance (EA) Department’s letter dated July 18, 2024. This has the approval of the Competent Authority,” the order said.
To implement the enhancement of the salary of the SSA non-teaching staff by 25 per cent, the State government would require an additional amount of Rs 3.19 crore.
According to the Education Department, the financial implication for the current financial year will be Rs 15,98,13,000 from the existing annual budget of Rs 12.78 crore.
However, the employees who are currently on indefinite sit-in protest at Malki Ground here said they were not satisfied with the 25 per cent enhancement of their salary and wanted it to be increased to 80 per cent.
Speaking to media persons, All Meghalaya SSA Non-Teaching Staffs Association (AMSSANTSA) finance secretary Ricky Shullai said that the association has received a copy of the order regarding the 25 per cent salary enhancement.
“However, during our general body meeting, we have unanimously decided to stick to our demand for 80 per cent salary enhancement plus 5 per cent annual increment. This is because the last enhancement was done way back in 2016,” Shullai said.
He also said that the association would continue with the indefinite sit-in-demonstration till the State government considers the demands.
Earlier in the day, Commissioner and Secretary Vijay Mantri went to Malki Ground to meet the agitating SSA employees.
According to Mantri, the demands have been conveyed to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.
“The chief minister called an urgent internal meeting with officers to discuss and decide on their demands. The chief minister also spoke to them over phone and informed them that the government would consider their demands positively,” Mantri said.
