Lapang slams protesting state employees

Shillong, Sep 5 Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang today came down heavily on the state government employees for their unwillingness to accept the Cabinets decision to implement the state's Fourth Pay Commission recommendations with effect from January 1, 2007.

Lapang said the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) government has made all efforts to get the central nod for implementation of the Commission's recommendations, but the employees were going on with their agitation.

"In a democratic set-up, everyone has the right to agitate, but the government will not allow any indiscipline amongst the employees," the chief minister said.

He said his government took the initiative to implement the recommendations by meeting the prime minister and the union finance ministry officials but none of the employees expressed gratitude to the government.

Lapang's reaction came in the backdrop that the Meghalaya State Government Employees Federation deciding to wear black badges on September 7 and 8, to protest against the Cabinets decision to revise the salaries with effect from January 2007.

The employees have been demanding that the pay revision be implemented with retrospect effect from January, 2006 with an over all hike of 32 per cent as recommended by the Fourth Pay Commission.