In a major relief for the employees of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), the Meghalaya Government has sanctioned and released ₹79.5 crore into the Council’s escrow account to clear pending salaries of nearly 12 months. The move comes as part of the State Government’s efforts to ensure financial stability and transparency in the functioning of the autonomous body.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced, “We have also cleared an amount of Rs 79.5 crores to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council today, out of which about Rs 11 crores is their dues which are there right now, and the rest of the Rs 68.5 crores is an advance we’re giving towards their share of royalty from the future.”
Explaining the mechanism, Sangma added, “As you all know, an escrow account is a fancy name, but it is an account which is in a way meant to be very, very particular for the salary disbursement and an account which will obviously be monitored in a manner so that the funds are used only for the salary purpose.”
With this financial assistance, the GHADC administration will finally be able to clear the 12-month salary backlog of its employees, bringing long-awaited relief to hundreds of staff who have endured a prolonged period of hardship and financial uncertainty.
