Shillong, Aug 4: The Non-Gazetted Employees Association (NGEA) of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) continued its sit-in demonstration for the 19th day at William Point today.
The protest, which began on July 7, is to pressure the council to clear the pending salaries of council staff, who are owed nearly four years of pay.
NGEA president Brithen M Sangma led the demonstration, which has dissuaded employees from entering the GHADC office since July 29. Three opposition MDCs from the Trinamool Congress – Cherak Momin, Pardinand D Shira and Alphonsyus Marak – joined the protesters, expressing solidarity with the employees’ demands.
Momin, the Kharkutta MDC, emphasised the urgency of the situation, highlighting a recent meeting with the Meghalaya Governor on August 1. The Governor reportedly responded positively to their concerns, prompting Momin to urge the Meghalaya government and the GHADC executive committee to take immediate action.
The GHADC is facing a severe financial crisis, with a substantial sum of Rs 252 crore required to clear salary arrears and implement the long-overdue 5th Pay Commission. The council’s employees have been protesting for nearly a month, with some reports suggesting that the deaths of 30 employees can be attributed in part due to the unpaid salaries.
Momin warned that if the employees’ demands are not met within a week, the MDCs will join the agitation in the office compound.
