SHILLONG, June 22– Meghalaya Government on Wednesday decided to implement a ‘golden handshake’ scheme for the employees of loss-making Meghalaya Transport Corporation at a cost of Rs. 13.52 crore. After a Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister DD Lapang, told reporters that altogether 216 out of over 600 employees of the MTC have ‘accpeted’ the offer of golden handshake given to them by the government earlier.
The scheme would be implemented immediately, he said. Lapang said another 150 employees of the MTC were reportedly willing to come forward to accept the scheme. The Chief Minister said the government was finding it ‘difficult’ to pay over Rs. 50 lakh per month as salary to the employees of the corporation and maintaining its fleet of vehicles over a period of time. The offer was therefore given to the MTC employees with a view to revamp the unit, he said.
Replying to a question, Lapang said similar offer was also given to other loss-making corporations of the government like MECOFED and MDCC employees but they were yet to come forward with any proposal. The transport department also explored the possibility of modernising the MTC by pumping in funds through non-plan allocation and from private entrepreneurs.