Crores down the drain: GHADC employees question financial distress

Shillong, Aug 11: More than 500 employees of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) continued their protest for the 34th day today as they push for the release of their pending salaries, which now amount of 43 months’ worth.

The Non-Gazetted Employees Association (NGEA) gained momentum with the A·chik State People’s Front (ASPF) joining the protest and pledging full support. ASPF leaders assured employees that they would stand with them until the issue is resolved.

NGEA president Brithen M Sangma criticised the silence of top GHADC officials. Sangma said that the employees had initially sought the release of at least one year’s salary but are now firm on receiving the full 43 months’ pay before resuming their duties.

The protest saw slogans demanding the resignation of senior GHADC figures.

Highlighting alleged financial mismanagement, Timtim N Sangma told the gathering that the GHADC had received Rs 142 crore in own funds and Rs 134 crore in royalty shares between 2021 and 2024 – a total of Rs 276 crore during the current EC’s tenure. She clarified that the current employee strength is 1,376, down from 1,600 in 2020, countering claims of inflated payroll numbers.

Timtim further alleged irregularities in the Tourism Department, where some muster roll employees were receiving Fifth Pay Commission benefits without sanction. She said her findings were ignored despite informing the Chief Executive Member.

Recalling a 2023 meeting with the Chief Minister, she said that the CM claimed over Rs 120 crore had already been paid to GHADC, estimating that Rs 6 crore was needed monthly for salaries. “I told him that under the Fourth Pay Commission, only Rs 4 crore is required. The CM did his own calculations and said our salaries were already cleared,” she recounted.