Shillong, September 25: Deficit school teachers in Meghalaya have given the state government until October 9 to address six pending demands, warning of an “aggressive statewide democratic agitation” if their grievances remain unresolved. Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers’ Association (KJDSTA) president Boswell Pala announced the ultimatum following a protest march from the Meghalaya Board of School Education office to Malki Ground in Shillong. The protest was jointly organised by the KJDSTA and the Garo Hills Deficit School Teachers and Employees Association (GHDSTEA).
Pala said the two associations had submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, describing it as their final ultimatum after receiving no response to an appointment request submitted nearly a month ago. “For years, the deficit school community, which forms the backbone of Meghalaya’s school education, has endured severe financial strain, bureaucratic apathy and systemic indifference,” he said.
Highlighting the pending dearness allowance, Pala said deficit teachers were still receiving DA at 49 per cent, although it was due to be revised to 51 per cent from July 1, 2025, and 53 per cent from January 1, 2026. He added that arrears at the 43 per cent rate for January and February 2024 also remained unpaid. On the Contributory Provident Fund, Pala said a government order dated November 21, 2024, had raised the matching contribution from eight to 10 per cent with effect from January 1, 2025. However, employees continued to receive only eight per cent, he alleged, demanding immediate implementation along with arrears.
The associations also sought the immediate completion of recruitment against posts vacated through retirement and demanded that the government stop converting deficit posts into temporary posts under the Structured Pay Framework. Other demands include exemption from the Centralised Provident Fund Scheme, 2026; restoration of the Board of Trustees under the 1969 Act; and a binding deadline for transferring CPF and National Pension System funds.
Pala warned that if the government failed to fulfil the demands by October 9, the associations would launch statewide protests. “Any disruption to academic schedules or student activities shall rest entirely on the inaction and apathy of the government,” he said.
