Arunachal govt accords approval for release of Rs 254 lakh for payment of wages

Around 166 contingency and strike force staff of Namdapha Tiger Reserve here in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, who were forced to work without wages for nearly 16 months since April last year have something to cheer about. By the first week of August, the contingency and strike force staff will be paid their wages for the period of one financial year from April 2019 to March 2020.

Secretary (Planning & Investment) Government of Arunachal Pradesh through an order vide No. PD (SPD) - 08/ 2020-21, dated 15 July 2020, accorded approval for release of Rs. 254.10 lakh for payment of wages to 166 strike force and contingency staff working under Namdapha Tiger Reserve. The wages will be paid for the period from April 2019 to March 2020.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Inspector General of Forest, (NTCA) Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India had reminded Chief Wildlife Warden, Government of Arunachal Pradesh of the email sent on June 17, where it was clearly clarified that APO (central share) of Namdapha Tiger Reserve for the financial year 2019-20 was sanctioned as per the items approved by finance division, MoEF & CC. Further, it said the same amount was revalidated for using the funds during financial year 2020-21.

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The DIGF directed the CWW to make arrangements for fund allocations against the activities which are not part of sanctioned APO (especially payment of wages to strike force and contingency staff) of Namdapha Tiger Reserve for 2019-20 from any other scheme/ state budget. The DIGF further informed that APO of NTR for 2020-21 has already been submitted to Finance Division of MoEF & CC and funds shall be released as and when the same is concurred.

The entire strike force and contingency staff will sit on July 24 to decide whether to accept the offer or will continue with indefinite strike, said Asham Mossang, an employee. "The management must ensure that employees does not have to go through such hardships in future", he added.

However, TMT sources confirmed that most employees are in favour of accepting wages of one year as they are already shattered for not getting wages for so many months. They are not happy and are bound by circumstances.

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