Shillong, Jan 10: The Jaiñtia Youth Federation (JYF) alleged that the state government was cheating teachers working in SSA schools across the state by claiming that the Centre has delayed releasing of funds for disbursing of salary.
This came to light after receiving information sought under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 from the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD)’s Department of School Education & Literacy.
Addressing reporters here on Wednesday, JYF president Poipynhun Majaw said, “The state government has cheated the teachers by claiming that it is yet to receive funds from the Centre whereas information received through RTI from the MHRD is saying otherwise.â€
He said that according to information, the MHRD has informed that an amount of Rs 29829.39 lakh has been estimated for teachers’ salary in Meghalaya as per the Project Approval Board’s minutes 2017-18.
“During 2017-18, fund has been released to the state of Meghalaya in Head 2552.00. 156.15.01.31, 2552.00.789.84.01.31 & 2552.00.796.88.01.31,†he said while quoting the ministry’s reply to queries submitted by the organization.
As per SSA framework, the fund would be released in two installments each year, one in May and the second in September/October. The government of India would release an ad-hoc grant in April every year, and this is followed by the release of balance of 1st installment.
The second installments will be based on the progress in expenditure, and the quality of implementation. The utilization certificates from the districts to the state should be submitted as and when funds are utilized, but before the release of further installment.
Stating that SSA teachers are yet to get their salary from July last year, Majaw questioned, “Where has this money sanctioned by the Government of India gone and why these teachers are being deprived of their rights?â€
Informing that a similar RTI was also filed with the state’s Directorate of School Education & Literacy on the matter, he said, “The reply received from the DSEL was that, the delay is due to non receipt of funds from the Centre and state share into the accounts of the State Project Office (SPO). Hence the delay is beyond the control of SPO.â€
The JYF leader said that the organization would soon write to the Ministry of Human Resource Development to seek clarification on the claims of the state government. “We will also submit to the MHRD replies received from the DSEL,†he said.
He also said that the delay in releasing the salary has affected SSA teachers in the state.
Meanwhile, the MHRD also informed that as on March 31, 2017, a total of 21,756 teachers are working under SSA scheme in Meghalaya.