Collage of placards displayed during an indefinite sit-in protest organised by the Nagaland RMSA Teachers’ Association (NRMSATA)-2016 in Kohima on September 8, 2025. (Morung File Photo)
Reiterates demand for immediate implementation of court ruling on pay scale, arrears
Kohima, June 4 (MExN): The Nagaland RMSA Teachers Association (NRMSATA-2016) has expressed concern over the delay in implementing the scale pay and release of arrears due to batch, despite the matter having attained finality before the Supreme Court of India.
In a statement, the association recalled that the Gauhati High Court had directed the State Government to grant the scale pay applicable to similarly situated teachers.
The State Government subsequently challenged the judgement before the Supreme Court through a Special Leave Petition (SLP), which was dismissed.
A review petition filed thereafter was also dismissed on January 15, 2026, the association stated.
According to the NRMSATA-2016, the dismissal of the review petition brought the litigation to a close and affirmed the entitlement of RMSA 2016 batch teachers to the benefits granted by the Court.
While acknowledging that certain administrative formalities may be required for implementation, the association maintained that the continued delay has caused hardship and uncertainty among its members, who have been awaiting resolution of the matter for several years.
The association further stated that the situation has been aggravated by the non-release of salaries since April, leaving many teachers and their families under financial strain.
It contended that the delay in disbursing salaries, coupled with the non-implementation of the court-mandated pay scale and arrears, has affected teachers' ability to meet household, educational, medical and other financial obligations.
Citing Article 141 of the Constitution of India, the association asserted that the law declared by the Supreme Court is binding on all authorities, including the State Government, and that compliance with the final judgement is a constitutional obligation.
The NRMSATA-2016 stated that it has learnt that the proposal has already cleared the necessary departmental processes and legal vetting.
In such circumstances, it said there appeared to be no justifiable reason for the matter to remain pending before the State Cabinet.
To this end, the association therefore urged the Government of Nagaland to take immediate steps to implement the judgement by granting the mandated scale pay, releasing all arrears due to the RMSA 2016 batch teachers, and ensuring prompt disbursement of pending salaries.
Expressing hope for an early resolution, the association said the RMSA 2016 batch teachers had served the Department of School Education with sincerity and commitment and were seeking only the benefits already affirmed through due process of law.
It must be noted here that the NRMSATA-2016 batch suspended its ‘indefinite sit-in protest’ in September 2025 following Nagaland Government decision to constitute a High-Level Committee to examine its grievances and charter of demands. The sit-in protest of the Nagaland RMSA 2016 batch teachers had entered its 12th day on September 23.
An official circular from School Education Department stated that the entire process is slated to be completed within six months.
