Shillong, July 12: BJP leader Bernard N. Marak has urged the Meghalaya Government to immediately release the pending salaries of employees of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), alleging that the government has failed to honour its commitments under the Tripartite Agreement.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Marak said the continued delay in payment of salaries reflects a violation of Paragraph 3.1 of the Tripartite Agreement, under which the State Government had assured that GHADC employees would receive their salaries on the first day of every month.
He claimed that despite repeated assurances from senior government leaders during the employees’ agitation, salaries had not been credited even by July 10. Marak also alleged that the 30 months of salary arrears remain unpaid despite several promises made by the government.
According to Marak, the delay has caused severe financial hardship for GHADC employees, many of whom are struggling to repay home and vehicle loan EMIs, electricity and mobile bills, children’s school and college fees, and other household expenses. He said the situation has also resulted in many employees being classified as loan defaulters, affecting their financial credibility.
Marak stated that if the State Government is genuinely committed to the welfare of GHADC employees, it must demonstrate that commitment through action rather than assurances. He said the continued failure to implement the provisions of the Tripartite Agreement raises serious concerns over the government’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations.
He called on the government to immediately release the pending monthly salaries and prepare a time-bound plan to clear the outstanding 30 months of salary arrears, stating that GHADC employees deserve timely payment for their services and should not continue to face uncertainty over their salaries.
