CM reminds govt stands on COTA's demand
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 25 2011:
Sticking to his guns, Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh has asked whether people would accept to a hike in taxes of various kinds levied by the government to raise funds required for payment of increased salaries to the teachers.
Talking to reporters during his inspection of the progress of the construction of the High Court component of the Capitol Project and other developmental projects taken up in Imphal, Ibobi reiterated that the government has no resources to bear additional funds to be incurred while increasing the salaries of teachers.
He had made it clear to the teachers' representatives in a meeting with him and discussed the demands put forward by them.
He explained the government will have to increase motor vehicle tax, water tax, electricity consumption charge, land revenue, etc.
to meet the additional funds if the teachers' demands are agreed upon.
As this would tantamount to add another burden to the people, he appealed to the striking members of COTA to suspend their stir and resume taking normal classes considering the welfare of the students.
The CM reminded that except in Arunachal Pradesh, no other state in the NE had so far adopted the revised pay bands of the sixth pay commission.
He also recalled the standing order of the Planning Commission of India not to spend non-plan funds in paying salaries of employees.
The CM first inspected the Assembly Complex at Chingmeirong and the High Court Complex at Sangakpham which are components of the Imphal Capitol Project.
While inspecting the work progress of Naga and Nambul Nullah Projects, Ibobi appealed to the people to cooperate with the government to lessen the inconveniences in traffic movement.
After inspecting the work progress of the projects, the CM said that all the projects are nearing completion and are targeted to be complete before the advent of the rainy season.