Meghalaya Education Minister Shri Lakhmen Rymbui has asked teachers of the agitating Samagra Shikha Abhiyan (SSA) to resume their duty.
Rimbui said that he had met the agitating SSA teachers several times and informed them that the Meghalaya government has complied with all the requirements of the central government to release the first instalment so that the department can release the teachers' salaries. He also said that whatever amount the Center releases at its discretion will be handed over to the school management committees for payment of salaries.
Rimbui has also appealed to the agitating SSA teachers to work together. He said, "I know what kind of problems they have to face due to late receipt of funds. But there are some things which are not in our hands, so we have to understand it."
If they do not resume classes, we have no other option but to issue a 'no work, no pay' order or withdraw the grant to shut down the institution's school management committees, he said.
Under the umbrella of the Meghalaya SSA School Association (MSSASA), hundreds of SSA teachers in Meghalaya are on the streets as they hold an indefinite protest in Shillong over the delay in their salaries of over five months. Over 1,000 teachers are taking part in the indefinite sit-in protests.