KHADC to re-examine proposal to repeal pension Act

SHILLONG, JUNE 28: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has decided to re-examine the proposal to repeal the KHADC (Members Pension) Act.

“The previous executive committee (EC) has moved a Bill to repeal the Act. However, the new EC in its first meeting held recently has decided to re-examine the proposal,” KHADC chief Pyniaid Sing Syiem said in his reply to the budget discussion during the last day of the council’s session.

He said eight former MDCs have received their pensions while over 20 others are yet to get.

“You may ask how you can pay pension to the former MDCs without including the same in the budget provision. However, we can always bring supplementary demands to include pensions for the ex-MDCs,” Syiem said.

Earlier while participating in the budget discussion, Leader of Opposition Titosstarwell Chyne urged the EC to consider repealing the Act while taking into consideration the financial position of the council.

Ex-MDCs are getting Rs 5,000 as pension.

He said when he was CEM of the Council, the eight ex-MDCs had approached the High Court, which accordingly passed an order directing the Council to pay their pensions. A contempt of court order was also filed against the Council for not complying with the order and finally 50% of the pension was paid to the ex-MDCs.

“Now, another 24 ex-MDCs are also approaching the Court for pension,” Chyne said while adding that the council would require an additional amount of Rs 50-60 lakh per year to pay pension to the ex-MDCs and this will be a burden to the Council, which is facing huge financial crisis at present.

“Therefore, I urge the EC to re-examine the matter to ensure such problems are avoided in the future,” he said.

He also cited, “If the ex-secretary of the Council is drawing a pension of Rs 50,000, they will start asking this question how come MDCs are getting only Rs 5,000. If they (ex-MDCs) start demanding on this ground, how will the Council be able to pay crores of rupees to the ex – MDC.”

By Our Reporter