Kohima, August 11 (MExN): With regard to non-payment of salaries to ATMA employees for the current fiscal year 2021-22 and manpower issues, the Department of Agriculture, Nagaland issued a clarification through the DIPR on Wednesday.
Non-payment of salary
The department could manage to pay salary for the month of April 2021 from last financial years saving by forgoing the earmarked components of Cafeteria of activities which was kept pending on account of COVID-19 pandemic. “The aforesaid gesture has been made by the Department, keeping in mind ATMA personnel’s welfare owing to pending release of the 1st Installment for the current fiscal year 2021-22 by the GoI,” it stated.
The department cited the introduction of the Single Nodal Agency (SNA) by the Ministry of Finance in regard to a new procedure for release of funds under Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) w.e.f. July 1, 2021 where all CSS accounts will be integrated to PFMS. “In line with this, even though it is time taking the Department is actively pursuing to expedite the procedure for SNA implementation particularly the ATMA Scheme,” it clarified.
Manpower issue
Concerning the manpower issue, the department stated that as per the 2018 ATMA Guidelines provided by the Government of India, contractual employees (against regular vacancies) may be paid gross emoluments not exceeding the ceiling limits to certain categories of posts under ATMA.
In this context, all categories of posts under State ATMA are recruited through Walk-In-Interviews and not as rendered in the mass media. Accordingly, on the recommendation of Requirement Board/Committee set up by the Government, the successful candidates were engaged purely on Contractual Basis for a period of 1 year and co-terminus with the CSS programme, it stated.
“While the Government recognizes and appreciates the extension services rendered towards the farming community of the State by the ATMA Employees, it is pertinent to note that there are certain Rules and Procedures of the Government. In addition, there are ways and means to bring their grievance(s) to the notice of the competent authority before taking the issue(s) to the public domain,” it clarified.
It added that under the Minister of Agriculture & Co-operation, G Kaito along with Agriculture Production Commissioner, Y Kikheto Sema, IAS has been guiding and giving their best effort to the Department. “The good words or advice supposed to have given to the ATMA staff has no connection with the delay or no payment of monthly salary whatsoever rather they always have serious concern for the welfare and wellbeing of its employees including ATMA employees,” it added.
Meanwhile, on the publication of news item, ‘Request to Release ATMA pending Salaries’ and open letter to the Chief Minister under ‘Step Motherly Treatment of ATMA Staff of Nagaland’ on August 2 and August 6, the Department stated that it has verified from the ATMA employees list and found that the said person is not an employee of ATMA. “In this connection, the Department of Agriculture has been constraint to issue this clarification for the kind notice of all concerned,” it added.
