Staff Reporter

Shillong, Oct 3: A delegation of former MDCs of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) today expressed gratitude to the incumbent Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pyniaid Sing Syiem for the decision to release the pending 50 per cent of the pension for all Ex-MDCs.

This came after the executive committee (EC) led by incumbent CEM had assured the ex-MDCs that the district council will soon clear all pending pensions.

Speaking to media persons, former MDC from Sohryngkham constituency Handle Mukhim said that in 2002, the then Executive Committee (EC) had introduced the Pension Bill for Ex-MDCs and the Bill in 2006 had received assent from the Governor of Meghalaya.

Mukhim said that though the Bill had received assent from the Governor yet the ex-MDCs did not receive their pension and this forced them to file a case at the Meghalaya High Court and in 2009 following the instruction of the Court, the KHADC had implemented the pension scheme.

He added that since 2012, the pension funds have been stopped and till date they have only received 50 per cent of the total pension amount.

“We are thankful to the former CEM Titosstarwell Chyne for taking the initiative to again release the pending pension and we are also thankful to EC led by the incumbent CEM Pyniaid Sing Syiem for the decision to release the remaining 50% of the pension scheme of all ex-MDCs,” said Mukhim.

Mukhim said that they have urged the CEM to release the pending pension amount in instalments by utilizing the available funds of the Council.