EMN
DIMAPUR, APRIL 23
The Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) has demanded a probe into alleged discrimination against SSA teachers who are demanding their salaries from the Nagaland government. The organization has also found that the government may have funds, contrary to claims that the state has no funds to pay its employees.
The NMA issued a copy of a letter addressed to the governor of Nagaland on Wednesday, in which the organization highlighted the grievance of the teachers who have not been paid their salaries.
“It is with deep concern, the NMA has been following the issue of non-payment of salaries by the concerned department of School Education to these teachers, which has resulted in the crisis and the ultimatum submitted to Your Esteemed Office by the SSATA,” the NMA’s letter to the governor stated. “Transparency and accountability of public funds must be maintained which also includes regular and timely submission of Utilization Certificates to the concerned Ministry for timely sanction of funds for the salary of teachers working under the SSA program”.
The NMA questioned the government for discriminating the teachers. “It is highly questionable there is discrimination in payment of salaries to these SSA teachers till date, by the concerned department. It has been confirmed from sources that there has been payment of salaries to SSA teachers from two districts of Mon and Tuensang, while the rest of the teachers in the other districts have been forced to go on a strike as well as serve an ultimatum to the state government for non-payment of their salaries,” the NMA stated.
Such “biased discrimination” is ‘unwarranted and deplorable’ in matters of service, the mothers stated.
