Chief Secretary says central share must continue; assures regular salary amid NGTA agitation
The Nagaland Government has ruled out the full placement of salary under the Non-Plan head for mainstreamed SSA 2010 and RMSA 2013 teachers, stating that such a move would result in an additional annual burden of nearly Rs 80 crore on the State exchequer.
The decision was conveyed during a meeting convened by Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen on February 26 at the Chief Secretary’s Conference Hall to deliberate on the demand raised by the Nagaland Government Teachers’ Association (NGTA). The association has been agitating for placement of the salary component of mainstreamed SSA and RMSA teachers under the State’s Non-Development (Non-Plan) Expenditure head.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner & Secretary, School Education; Mission Director, Samagra Shiksha; Director, School Education; OSD, Finance Department; and representatives from the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) and the Eastern Nagaland Students’ Federation (ENSF), among others.
During the meeting, NSF and ENSF expressed concern over the adverse impact of the ongoing agitation on classroom teaching and learning activities across schools. The federations urged the Government to resolve the matter at the earliest in the interest of students.
The Department of School Education provided the background of the appointments, stating that the agitating teachers were originally appointed against posts created under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA).
The department informed that the teachers were mainstreamed into the State cadre in 2022 following clearance from P&AR and the Finance Department, and approval of the State Cabinet. It was also highlighted that the mainstreamed teachers are educationally and professionally qualified, enjoy the 7th ROP pay scale and other entitlements, and are regulated by standing government instructions like other regular State Government employees.
The Government stated that efforts are being made to ensure timely release of salaries.
The OSD, Finance Department, explained that although a large proportion of the salary component is borne by the State Government, a portion continues to be met through salary support provided by the Government of India under Samagra Shiksha.
He informed that Rs 78 crore was received as central share for 2024–25 and that shifting the entire salary component to the Non-Plan head would mean the State would no longer be able to claim approximately Rs 80 crore annually from the Centre.
Such a move, it was stated, would impose a significant financial burden on the State.
The Finance Department also attributed earlier delays in salary disbursement in 2025–26 to the introduction of the new financial transaction system, SNA SPARSH, by the Government of India and initial implementation challenges. However, it maintained that salaries have since been paid regularly.
After deliberations, the Chief Secretary observed that since the State Cabinet had already approved the mainstreaming of SSA 2010 and RMSA 2013 teachers in April 2022, and the same had been notified, the teachers are entitled to all benefits applicable to regular State Government employees.
However, he stated that as long as the Samagra/CSS scheme continues and the central share of salary is being routed through it, the salary component of the mainstreamed teachers would not be fully placed under the Non-Plan head of the State Budget.
At the same time, he directed that the State Government must take all necessary measures to ensure regular payment of salaries.
