Sobhapati Samom
IMPHAL, April 22 – Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has reiterated that his government has no capacity to include arrears while recommending the 6th Pay Commission in the State due to lack of adequate financial resources.
Briefing the media soon after a State Cabinet meeting here on Thursday afternoon, Ibobi said that the Cabinet minutely discussed the demands of the striking employees with inputs from financial experts and thereafter decided to exclude the arrears.
“We are not reluctant to award the employees’ demand,” he said. “So we once again appeal the employees to rethink and reconsider their steps and withdraw the strike,” he added.

Over 60,000 State government employees under the banner of the Joint Administrative Council of All Manipur Government Employees’ Organisation and All Manipur Trade Union Council are on a cease work strike since January 16 last demanding implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations in the State should also include payment of arrears.
The Chief Minister further explained that an additional amount of Rs 69.68 crore was required to meet the State’s monthly expenditure of Rs 292.28 crore against the monthly income of Rs 222.61 crore.

JAC Secretary Th Chandramani has, however, said that Chief Minister’s appeal failed to convince the striking employees. “He (Ibobi) has been saying this since the beginning of our strike,” Chandramani said when contacted over phone. “Why is he not ready to sit with us and discuss it (the issue). This hints of some hidden agenda of the government,” he opined.

Regarding the State government’s stand on the ongoing economic blockade called by Naga students over the holding of autonomous district council (ADC) election in the hills, Ibobi informed that the Cabinet has decided to hold the election next month.

“The Cabinet has taken a firm a decision in this regard to complete the entire election process in May,” he said. Seeking cooperation from the public for the smooth conduct of the poll, he said that the counting will be held in the first week of June. “The State Election Commission would issue the necessary notification soon.”

Reacting to the demand of amendment to the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council (Third amendment) Act 2008, Ibobi said any amendment could be made even after election.
He further added the State government is also seriously considering formulating a new mechanism to face any form of blockade on the National Highway by announcing the blockade imposers as “anti-nationals”.

Protesting the government’s move to hold the ADC election under the 3rd Amendment Act 2008, the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur had been imposing economic blockade on the National Highways 39 and 53 since April 11 last.

~ Assam Tribune