SSA staff not to call off indefinite protest despite minister’s appeal

The agitating SSA non-teaching staff on Tuesday rejected the appeal made by the Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma to call off their indefinite sit-in-demonstration on ground that their demands are yet to be addressed by the state government.

Speaking to reporters, Rakkam said that the state government is very positive in addressing the issue concerning the SSA non-teaching staff.

“Their (staff) demand is genuine, we understand. However, no one should be left out. Look at the level of data entry operator, they are getting just Rs 8000, which is not even (at par with a) 4^th grade employee’s salary. So the government is looking into all this and the government is on the positive side…,” he said.

Stating that the Rationalization Committee will complete its task to examine the proposal for enhancement of salary and rationalisation of salary, Rakkam said, “I would request our employees, who are pillars of our education system, to call off their agitation. Since we (government) have assured them (to address the issue) better not continue with the protest.”

“The government is exploring possibilities to enhance the SSA salary,” he added.

Responding to Rakkam’s appeal, general secretary of the All Meghalaya SSA Non Teaching Staffs Association (AMSSANTSA) Barikupar Mylliemngap said that the members of the association has decided to rejected the appeal since the government is yet to address the demands put forth by them.

“We will not withdraw until and unless we get our demands – that is a strong message we want to send to the education minister and the government. How will we go back home without achieving anything?” he said.

The non-teaching staff have been demanding 80percent salary enhancement, plus 2 percent based on seniority and 5 percent annual increment.

On Monday, the president of the association Jennyfer Synrem had mentioned that there has been 70 percent improvement in the meeting held with the Rationalisation Committee. She however admitted that demand for 80% enhancement is not justified and therefore, there is need for rationalisation of pay. “We will wait for the government’s written assurance before calling off our agitation,” Synrem had then stated.