SHILLONG, MAY 25: The state government has already cleared two of the three instalments of the Voluntary Retirement Scheme for Mawmluh Cherra Cement Ltd employees, with the final tranche expected in the coming months, NPP legislator from Sohra Gavin Mylliem said Monday.
The total financial implication of the golden handshake for all MCCL employees is over Rs 100 crore, he said.
“Of course, we could see that the decision for extending the golden handshake was taken last year in the month of March where all the employees were in line with the proposal of the government to give a golden handshake, VRS to all the employees of the MCCL,” Mylliem told reporters.
He noted the fiscal burden on the state.
“At that point of time, yes we do understand that the financial implication on the part of the state government is huge. I think it is around Rs 100 crore plus even for the golden handshake to move forward,” he said.
While the government had initially committed to completing payments within three financial years, Mylliem said progress has been faster than scheduled.
“The government has given a commitment during that time that they will be completing this whole financial assistance towards the employees within three financial years but in fact I am grateful to the government under the leadership of our chief minister Conrad K Sangma for within one financial year, they have already completed 2 installments out of 3 installments,” he said.
“So now we are left with only one more installment to be completed. I am very hopeful that in the coming months, the government will complete giving the full financial assistance to the employees of MCCL,” he added.
Mylliem said the remaining instalment amounts to roughly Rs 27 crore. “Roughly, it is around 27 crore if I am not mistaken,” he said.
On the future of the defunct MCCL plant and its land, Mylliem said the decision now rests with Hima Sohra, as the lease expires in 2020.
“That is a fit question to be asked from the MCCL management what they are trying to do with that plant but with regards to that land, since that falls under Hima Sohra, the area where the plant has been set up totally falls under Hima Sohra,” he said.
“Of course, if I am not mistaken the lease with regards to that particular land ended in the year 2020. So currently I think it is in the hands of Hima Sohra to decide with regards to the land,” Mylliem added.
By Our Reporter
