ACHIK demands release of GHADC employees’ salaries

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 2, 2025

The A·chik Conscious Holistically Integrated Krima (ACHIK) has extended its full support to the ongoing movement of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) employees who have been deprived of their salaries for 44 months. 

In a statement, the ACHIK said the crisis is not only a humanitarian tragedy affecting over a thousand families but also a systemic failure of governance and accountability.

Demanding that the entire 44 months of arrears be cleared immediately, the organization said that the state government’s announcement to take over ADC salaries from November 1, 2025, cannot be a substitute for clearing the pending salaries.

ACHIK advocates for a robust Finance and Administrative Rule to ensure transparent budgeting, expenditure control, and accountability.

It also stressed the need for framing and enforcement of a Service Rule to safeguard employee rights, streamline recruitment, and rationalize workforce management.

The organization said there is need for introduction of Online Deposit Systems for revenue collection to eliminate leakages and enhance efficiency and implementation of a Single-Window Withdrawal System in financial operations to bring strict monitoring, reduce misuse of funds, and ensure timely disbursal of salaries.

ACHIK emphasized that the crisis of GHADC is not just about delayed wages but about the future of grassroots governance in Garo Hills. 

“Without deep financial reforms and accountability mechanisms, the Council risks becoming permanently dysfunctional, undermining the spirit of the Sixth Schedule and self-governance.” 

ACHIK said it will actively participate in collective movements until justice is delivered and systemic reforms are put in place.