Shillong, June 15: A demand has been raised for the immediate constitution of the 6th Meghalaya State Pay Commission, with former Chief Secretary of Meghalaya, D.P. Wahlang, being suggested as a suitable candidate to head the panel.
The demand was made by social commentator and writer Babu Kular Khongjirem, who urged the State Government to initiate the process without further delay to ensure that government employees receive revised pay scales on time.
In a statement, Khongjirem said that successive governments in Meghalaya have traditionally constituted a State Pay Commission every ten years to review and revise the salaries of State Government employees as well as employees of institutions that receive government salary support. He pointed out that the Government of India has already initiated the process for implementing the 8th Central Pay Commission from 2026.
Tracing the history of the State Pay Commission, he said the first Meghalaya State Pay Commission was constituted in 1976 under the chairmanship of the late R.S. Lyngdoh. Since then, most of the commissions have been headed by senior IAS officers, particularly those who had served as Chief Secretary of the State.
He further recalled that the late R. Tokin Rymbai headed the second Meghalaya State Pay Commission in 1986, during whose tenure teaching and non-teaching staff of deficit schools were granted allowances and benefits on par with State Government employees.
Khongjirem also highlighted delays in the implementation of previous pay commissions. According to him, the third Meghalaya State Pay Commission, which was due in 1996 during the tenure of the Congress Government led by the late D.D. Lapang, was implemented only in 1997. Likewise, the fourth and fifth State Pay Commissions were implemented in 2007 and 2017 respectively, instead of 2006 and 2016.
He expressed concern that despite 2026 being well underway, the MDA-II Government has yet to indicate when the 6th Meghalaya State Pay Commission will be constituted. He warned that any further delay could result in State Government employees having to wait longer for revised pay scales, with implementation potentially being pushed to 2028.
Khongjirem said D.P. Wahlang, who recently retired as Chief Secretary, possesses the administrative experience, knowledge of the State and reputation for integrity necessary to lead the commission. He described Wahlang as an officer known for balanced decision-making, impartiality and professionalism throughout his career.
Stating that the appointment of an experienced and politically neutral individual would inspire confidence among employees and the public alike, Khongjirem urged the Government to consider appointing D.P. Wahlang as Chairman of the 6th Meghalaya State Pay Commission.
The State Government has not yet made any official announcement regarding the constitution of the commission or the appointment of its chairman.
