Very soon, the Meghalaya Government will release the much-awaited revenue share of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), a move expected to end the prolonged salary crisis that has kept council employees on repeated strikes. Deputy Chief Minister Incharge District Council Affairs Prestone Tynsong assured that once the funds are disbursed, the GHADC should be able to clear pending dues to its staff, even as he issued a strong appeal for all autonomous district councils to take greater responsibility for generating their own revenue instead of depending solely on government allocations.
“Since the employees of GHADC keep on striking I can’t say anything because I knew well that the issue is about the salary, I think very soon their (GHADC’s) share will be released to Garo Hills Autonomous District Council and once that is done I am sure they will be able to clear the salary of their employees,” Tynsong said, speaking on the recurring unrest in the council.
In a pointed message to the GHADC leadership, he added: “My appeal to the CEM of GHADC and the executive committee — you try to convince the employees and you also have to take the responsibility of generating your own resources. Why should you only live to that share? Why should you only think of that share? Think of your own revenue generation also. I keep saying this not only to Garo Hills but Khasi and Jaintia Hills District Council as well. They need to understand that they have their own constitutional identity and they have also the provision to generate revenue.”
The Deputy CM’s remarks signal both financial relief for GHADC employees and a stern reminder that long-term fiscal stability for Meghalaya’s autonomous councils hinges on self-reliance and prudent resource mobilisation.
