Assam Agricultural Marketing Board employees not getting of salaries for 11 months

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The employees of the Assam State Agricultural Marketing Board (ASAMB) staged a protest at Bipanan Bhawan on Friday regarding their unpaid salaries since the month of September 2022.

Kamal Chandra Mahanta, secretary of the field level officer association, ASAMB, said, “Around 800 employees are working under ASAMB but are facing problems in carrying out their daily lives as for the last 11 months they have not been receiving their salaries.”

He further said, “ASAMB was established in 1976 on the basis of the Assam Agricultural Produce Market Act, 1972. However, as per the directive of the Government of Assam on June 15, 2020, ASAMB’s revenue collection came down. In this regard, the Government of Assam took steps to sanction the grant as aid for the salaries of the officers and employees of the Board. Accordingly, a total of Rs 108 crore was released to the Marketing Board in the last three financial years.”

“Subsequently, the Government of Assam is engaging the staff of the Board to procure mustard and millets at minimum support prices, besides paddy, from the farmers of Assam under various schemes. In addition, the ASAMB has been declared the sole wholesale distributor of urea fertilizer in Assam from June 1, 2022, and they are carrying out the responsibility smoothly,” he added.

Further, he said, “A budget proposal of Rs 90 crore for the 2023–24 fiscal year including the regular and arrears of salaries, gratuities, CPF, and essential administrative expenses of its officers and employees, but the government approved only Rs 40.50 crore. And of this, Rs 30.50 crore is for salary and Rs 10 crore is for voluntary retirement. On August 28, 2023, the Finance Department of Assam approved the budget of Rs. 15.20 crore against the Rs. 30.50 crore allocated under the salaries category, which if released would have paid only for three months to the employees, but the fund has not been released yet. This led to a condition where, since September 2022, the officers and employees of ASAMB have been deprived of their monthly salaries.”

“The officers and employees of the ASAMB met the authorities of the board and conducted discussions on June 21 and August 4 and wanted their view on the current situation of the board. However, they were unable to give a clear opinion on the issue. We are requesting the government to make arrangements for the immediate release of the salaries and clarify the government’s position on the future of the ASAMB,” he added.

However, the board authority has promised its employees that within 2 weeks their problems will be solved. Sadou Asom Karmachari Parishad (SAKP) also supported today’s protest, with Dwipen Sarma, president, taking part in it.

Also Read:  Agricultural challenges: From onions and tomatoes to rice and policy reform

Also Watch: