SHILLONG — Hundreds of deficit-school teachers and non-teaching employees marched through Shillong on Friday, giving the Meghalaya government until October 9 to act on their long-pending demands and warning of statewide protests if the deadline passes without action
The rally, organised by the Khasi-Jaintia Deficit School Teachers’ Association (KJDSTA) and Garo Hills Deficit School Teachers’ and Employees’ Association (GHDSTEA), began at the MBOSE office and moved through Barik Point before reaching Madan Malki. The associations later submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma’s office, describing it as a “final ultimatum.”
KJDSTA president Boswell S. Pala said the teaching and non-teaching fraternity had waited long enough for the government to address the issues. The associations had sought an appointment with the Chief Minister on September 1, but said no meeting followed despite repeated representations.
Their six-point charter seeks payment of pending Dearness Allowance and arrears, implementation of the enhanced 10% government CPF contribution, filling of sanctioned vacant deficit posts, exclusion from the 2026 Centralised Provident Fund Scheme, restoration of the Board of Trustees and a time-bound completion of CPF and NPS transitions.
The associations said deficit employees are still receiving 49% DA, while they claim 51% is due from July 2025 and 53% from January 2026. They also demanded payment of 43% DA arrears for January and February 2024. On CPF, the employees said the government’s matching contribution was raised from 8% to 10% with effect from January 1, 2025, but the additional 2% has not been reflected in their payments. They want the accumulated difference released.
The teachers also demanded action on sanctioned vacant posts, including pending advertisements, interviews and appointment orders. They opposed any move to convert sanctioned deficit positions into temporary posts under the Structured Pay Framework.
The associations welcomed the government’s September 17 withdrawal of the August 12 notification but said several concerns surrounding the deficit-school system remained unresolved.
Pala warned that failure to act by October 9 would leave the associations with “no alternative” but to launch statewide protests and agitation.
The groups also said the government would be responsible for any disruption to academic schedules, administrative work or student activities arising from the proposed statewide stir.
