SHILLONG, MAY 6: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Thursday sought to address opposition to the deployment of teachers for census duty, stating that the first phase would last only 30 days and teachers would receive monetary benefits of Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000.

“In fact, it is very simple, see for this first phase, we have calculated it will take only 30 days, the teachers can go to those designated villages we have already assigned, only 30 days,” Tynsong said.

He said the work could be managed alongside regular teaching duties.

“That 30 days also is up to them as they can work for 2-3 or 4 hours after school, they can go along with the traditional heads, the rangbah shnong, they will go maybe 4-5 households in a day because this is about enumeration,” he said.

Tynsong added that the process had been streamlined.

“The prescribed form is already there to fill up, explain to the citizens of the state, it is very simple, so we have already calculated that it is not overloaded work, rather I should say they will be also monetarily benefited as we are also going to give them some bonus, some lump sum amount, for one month the range is between Rs 15,000-Rs 20,000,” he said.

Responding to concerns over the deployment, he said, “So I don’t see any problem as of now because it is not only from the state government that we are doing this, this is done because the in-charge officers is BDO of the respective block, so the BDO will only engage them only after consultation with Rangbah Shnong, the managing committee and the concerned department.”

“So once that is done then only the order for engaging them in these activities start,” Tynsong added.