Shillong, May 31: Members of the Non Gazetted Employees’ Association (NGEA) of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council have refused to budge from their demand for 12 months’ salary.
In a statement issued on Monday, NGEA said it was firm on its demand for a year’s salary as per the 5th State Commission. The employees have not got payment for 34 months.
The members said they were “shocked and highly disappointed” when Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and chief executive member Benedic Marak announced on social media that only five months’ salary would be paid.
NGEA criticised Marak for ignoring the employees’ demand. “The NGEA also strongly condemns the MDA government and the Deputy Commissioner for imposing Section 144 on the premises of GHADC on the pretext of breach of peace and spread of corona virus. The intension of the government… is to suppress our voices and right to demand for payment of salaries,” the statement read.
On the plight of the GHADC employees, NGEA said about 30 staff have already died in the last three years due to penury and more will die of starvation.
“We are united and ready to die for our right. And we are continuing with our demand for release of our salary. And today we have gathered to protest against our CEM, CM and new EC… and will continue to protest in future until our demand is fulfilled,” the statement read.
