Alleging diversion of fund (sanctioned by MHRD) by State government was the reason behind irregular/delay in payment of salary to Rashtriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhijan (RMSA) teachers, the Nagaland RMSA Teachers Association (NRMSATA) has asked State government to retract the funding process from the finance department.
In this regard, NRMSATA president Renbemo L Patton and general secretary Kezhothito Keyho sought chief minister intervention and necessary action.
NRMSATA stand was that in the initial stage when CSS programme SSA, RMSA etc. were introduced in the State, teachers were paid their salary on time and if delayed only for one to two months, as the fund sanctioned by MHRD was directly accounted to the responsible sections/departments. However, payment got delayed after State government diverted the fund to finance and planning department where fund for CSS employees were kept in Government Civil Deposit to maintain minimum balance in the state exchequer.
NRMSATA also slammed the “lackadaisical attitude” of the state government in not following the guidelines and procedure lay down by the MHRD that led to frequent delay in release of salary. According to NRMSATA, in order to avail the next instalment, the responsible department has to prepare utilization certificate (UC) and submit it to MHRD, to prove that the sanctioned amount has been utilized. RMSA central body also asked State government to give its due 10% share on time.