Mondal directs department to ensure minimum wages implementation in all C&RD blocks

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 22, 2025

Minister in-charge Community & Rural Development Abu Taher Mondal on Monday directed the department to find out if implementation of minimum wages is pending in all C&RD blocks in the state. 

According to him, the government notification is there and the department will adhere to that.

Asked if the government will conduct audit of other blocks to know deficiencies, Mondal said, “Already we have conducted. Today we ask again to see that such issues are pending in other blocks or not in regards to minimum wages. We will be calling a meeting with other departments.” 

This came after the department had to cancel and postponed the inauguration of Mawpat C&RD Block office building following a protest staged by the Mawpat dorbar shnong on ground that the government has failed to honour an agreement signed while handing over of 3 acres of land for the block office. 

Mondal said, “I told them (Mawpat dorbar shnong) whatever agreement that has been signed at the time of handing over of the land will be fulfilled in letter and spirit.

Asked, Mondal said, “It is not that all jobs will be given. There is a criteria and it varies from block to block as some areas are bigger than others and some are lesser. So depending on that at the time of taking over some agreement is there and it is fulfilled everywhere wherever agreement has been signed.”

He informed already five people have been given appointment from the locality for Mawpat block. It was done in other blocks too. 

He said the dorbar shnong have raised the issue that employees appointed on casual basis should get minimum wages payment.

“It is a genuine demand. I told them if they have any issue they can come and meet with prior appointment,” he said.

When will you inaugurate Mawpat block, he said as and when everything is in place because see we don’ want to go against the sentiments of the people. Some groups are coming to meet tomorrow. Let me see what is their intention also.

The minister informed as of now, there is no proposal for creation of blocks. We have received proposals. It is a continuous process as and when feel, government will create new blocks.

“There are areas where people find it difficult to reach to the block headquarter within a short span of time, so government is considering on that  basis and accordingly it will be examined whether new block can be created or not,”he said.

He said  In 2017, 6 blocks were created and other blocks were created prior to that time. 

Last term, 9 blocks have been created and this term,, Mawhati block has been created and it was formally inaugurated by the chief minister on January 25, this year. A number of blocks have gone up to 56. 

Some blocks are quite old. Details I will share next time.