SHILLONG:
Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma on October 9 announced that the government will release two out of three months’ pending salary to the SSA teachers this month.
Addressing the media, Sangma said the Ministry of Education, Government of India was yet to release the first installment sanction till now.
“But the issues (regarding this) have been sorted out and we are expecting that in the next few days (funds will be) released by the Government of India.
“However, as a state government we have received approval for capping norms amount and we will be releasing two months’ salary for all SSA teachers,” he announced.
Over 12,541 SSA teachers are yet to receive their salary for the months of July, August and September.
Sangma informed that the state has also received funds under the midday meal programme for payment of the cook-cum-helpers’ honorarium from April to June.
“The government has also released the salary of teachers of different categories of schools till November, 2023,” he said.
The All Garo Hills SSA School Teachers’ Association (AGIISSASTA) has served a seven-day ultimatum to the state government demanding immediate release of their salaries pending for three months.
Sangma, however, said that the question of serving an ultimatum does not arise because it is the responsibility of the government to give priority to teachers. “Therefore, we are releasing two months’ salary within this month,” he added.
GH teachers give time till Oct 16
The All Garo Hills SSA School Teachers’ Association (AGIISSASTA) on Monday served a seven-day ultimatum to the state government for the immediate release of their salaries pending for three months.
In a memorandum to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, AGIISSASTA said, “We humbly urge you to kindly release our three months pending salary i.e. from July to September 2023 with immediate effect.”
“If failed to release our three months pending salary on or before October 16, 2023 or else it may compel us to launch a civic and democratic agitation programme for the welfare of all the aggrieved SSA teachers’ community,” it added.
The letter also stated, “We SSA teachers of Meghalaya are discharging our duties with empty stomach since the last three months i.e. from July to September 2023. Teachers are not getting their monthly salaries till date. Moreover, we have to clear our children’s school fees at this time before the annual examination 2023.”
The association also urged the government to consider the fact that the Puja festival is just round the corner and teachers, who are Hindu brethren”, need money.