SHILLONG, April 4 - Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) Government today announced that the five-month pending salaries of SSA teachers would be released tomorrow.
Addressing the media here Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that Centre has released its share of the fund for the SSA teachers and so the pending salaries of the teachers would be released. The total pending amount is Rs 135 crore.
�The Centre-State share for SSA teachers� salary is 90:10,� Sangma said. However, the arrears of the teachers amounting to about Rs 70 crore would be released at a later date,� he informed.
The release of the salaries of the teachers was made possible after the CM met several Union Ministers and discussed with them core issues of the State and one of them was the teachers� pending salary.
�We had fruitful discussions with Union Ministers and also President of India during my two-day visit to New Delhi,� Sangma said.
The CM was accompanied by some Cabinet colleagues and met Union External Affairs Minster Sushma Swaraj, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju and others.
President has expressed his desire to visit the State and probably he would be here between May-June.
Sangma told the Union External Affairs Minister that Meghalaya is keen to work more closely with Bangladesh as it would bring more economic dividends due to Meghalaya�s proximity to its southern neighbour.
�During the discussion the idea of giving work permits to Bangladeshi workers also came up keeping in mind the concerns about illegal migrants. However, all decisions would be taken after thorough consultations with the stakeholders both at Centre and the State,� he said.
Sangma said nothing has crystallised yet, but the idea is worth looking at. �We have also requested the Centre to have a direct route from Guwahati to Kolkata cutting across Bangladesh,� Sangma informed.
The State, moreover, has sought assistance from the Union Food Processing Ministry to value add its horticulture products. �We have also requested the Union Minster to set up food parks and more food processing centres in the State,� Sangma added.
