Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC), Shri Thombor Shiwat, has accused members of the Voice of the People Party (VPP) of engaging in a publicity stunt amid the ongoing salary crisis faced by the council’s employees.
Speaking in response to the recent protest organized by VPP outside the JHADC office, Shri Thombor stated that the VPP is not a political party but a social organization. He claimed their demonstration was futile as the council is unable to pay salaries unless funds are made available. “If the council has money, we will pay the salaries. If not, no amount of protest will change the situation,” said the CEM.
According to Shri Thombor, the state government has assured that funds will be released soon, and the VPP members are simply trying to take advantage of the situation as they know the money is close to being disbursed. “They are just trying to grab attention and claim credit once the money is released,” he remarked, adding that the protests are part of a strategy to gain political mileage ahead of the upcoming elections.
The CEM revealed that JHADC employees have not been paid for the past seven months, with the total monthly salary requirement being around ₹6 crore. The state government is expected to release around ₹17 crore soon, which will help cover the salary arrears.
Shri Thombor further clarified that the salary delay is affecting not only JHADC employees but also the Members of District Council (MDC), who have similarly not received their dues.
