SHILLONG, Oct 14: The Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers Association (KJDSTA) and the Garo Hills Deficit School Teachers and Employees Association (GHDSTEA) have rejected the state government’s response to their demands, alleging that it was attempting to mislead the public over dearness allowance (DA) arrears and the 2026 pension scheme.
The KJDSTA, which is participating in a three-day mass casual leave from October 14 along with the GHDSTEA, held a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the government’s letter and decide on the next course of action.
Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, KJDSTA president Boswell Pala alleged that the government had deliberately circulated to the media on Tuesday a letter sent to the associations on October 8 to create the impression that their demands had been addressed.
In a statement, the associations said the letter was unsatisfactory and referred to issues not raised in their ultimatum, while failing to adequately address their principal demands.
On DA arrears, the associations said the government had highlighted the payment of the increase from 39% to 43%, but claimed that the amount received by individual teachers ranged from around Rs 2,000 to Rs 6,000. They maintained that arrears at the rates of 51% and 53% remained unpaid.
The associations also reiterated their demand for the revocation of the 2026 pension scheme, opposing the government’s suggestion that teachers proceed with applications for Permanent Retirement Account Numbers (PRANs).
They contended that the retirement savings of deficit teachers should be governed by the provisions of the 1969 Act, enacted during Assam’s administration and subsequently adopted by Meghalaya.
Questioning the approval process, the associations alleged that their representatives were not present at the meeting on March 16, 2026, which cleared the scheme, as the meeting notice reached them only after the meeting had taken place. The scheme was notified on March 18, they said.
They further expressed concern over the Centralised Provident Fund Account, into which deficit teachers’ provident fund savings had been transferred in 2024. Referring to a government Gazette notification dated February 28, 2025, concerning the fund, they alleged that the 2026 scheme threatened the existing arrangement.
The associations also questioned the setting up of another Board of Trustees on April 27, 2026, alleging that the earlier board had effectively disappeared and seeking clarity on how teachers’ savings were being managed.
The teachers said several other demands remained unaddressed and warned that they would intensify their agitation if the government continued to remain unresponsive.
Addressing concerns over the impact on students, the associations maintained that their protest was also intended to teach children to stand up against injustice and distinguish facts from misleading narratives.
They acknowledged that the agitation could affect classes, sports, tests and examinations but said the responsibility for resolving the impasse rested with the government.
The mass casual leave by the two associations began on Wednesday and is scheduled to continue for three days.