Shillong, Nov. 28: The Meghalaya Colleges Non-Teaching Employees’ Association today announced that it would hold an agitation at Madan Iewrynghep, demanding the payment of revised payscales and arrears based on the Meghalaya Fourth Pay Commission.

The association has been on an indefinite strike from November 24 to protest against the government’s ignorant attitude towards its demands.

The association president, Regina Mawrie, said the non-teaching employees would gather at Madan Iewrynghep, fire brigade, from 10.30am to 2pm tomorrow. The strike will continue till the government implemented the revised payscales and released the 40 per cent arrears.

Mawrie said the association has been demanding the implementation of new payscales for three years now.

“We demand that the government should start disbursing our revised salary from December while our 40 per cent arrears should be released before Christmas,” Mawrie said.

Cash-strapped Meghalaya has taken a loan of Rs 100 crore from banks to pay 40 per cent arrears to deficit schoolteachers, 30 per cent arrears to government employees and pensions. However, it is unclear whether the agitating non-teaching staff will get a share of the Rs 100-crore loan.

In view of the shortage of funds, the Mukul Sangma cabinet last week approved major tax reforms to generate additional revenue for the state.

The cabinet decided to introduce Meghalaya Electricity Act, Meghalaya Tax on Luxuries, Hotels and Lodgings Act and increase the levy from 4 per cent to 5 per cent on 42 items under VAT.