Alleges state govt. not adhering to funding pattern norm
Dimapur, May 4 (EMN): The Nagaland Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Teachers’ Association (NSSATA) has demanded that the Nagaland state government fulfil a written assurance that was said to have been given on Nov. 2 'by paying all the pending salaries from November 2016 to February 2017 along with the arrears of 2016 immediately.'
The association's president Aliba Sangtam and the assistant general secretary Asungla Lemtor issued a press release cautioning that failure to 'comply with the written assurance' would compel the teachers to 'apply any form of action to fight for their survival and livelihood.'
The group highlighted the funding pattern set by the ministry of Human Resource Development with regard to the SSA programme. The association stated that the central government releases ad-hoc grants in April every year for start-up programmes followed by two instalments. According to the association, the first instalment is released in April for expenditure between April and September followed by the second instalment in September for expenditure between October and March.
Referring to the Project Approval Board's rules and procedure for release of funds, the association stated that whenever the government of India releases funds to the State Exchequer, the state has to immediately transfer the entire amount to the implementing agency (SMA) not later than 15 days. The state government has to deposit its matching share i.e., 10% to the state society within 30 days of 'the receipt of the central funds' and submit the utilisation certificate on time to ensure smooth implementation of the programme.
Referring to a press release stated to have been dated Mar. 8 2017, stated to have been issued by FP Solo, principal secretary to the government of Nagaland, relating to the delay in payment of teachers’ salaries, the association stated that it clearly pointed to 'the fact that state government has not been adhering to the central funding pattern.'
It, therefore, stated that the question of delay in releasing of funds from the ministry and payment of salaries for the 2010 and 2013 batch of teachers does not arise.
