Imphal, December 28 2008: Even as the agitation launched by the JAC of AMGEO and AMTUC has intensified with employees of State Health Department joining in and closing down the OPD of JN hospital for three days since yesterday, Chief Minister O Ibobi has today assured that the recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission will be implemented but added that it cannot be done right now due to financial constraints.

"There is no question why the 6th Pay Commission will not be given to the State Government employees.

It is just a matter of time," said the Chief Minister while addressing the function held to commemorate the 123rd foundation day of the AICC at Congress Bhavan today.

Trying to allay any apprehensions in the mind of State Government employees, the Chief Minister said that the Government is intent on implementing the recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission and added that it is only a matter of time.

Ibobi who also holds the Finance portfolio said that though the financial health of the State has improved in the last few years, the Government is still not in a position to foot the additional sum of Rs 4000 crores needed to implement the 6th Pay Commission.

"If the recommendation is implemented right now, it will mean stopping all the developmental works," he asserted.

Stating that only the Central Government employees are receiving salaries according to the recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission, the Chief Minister said not a single State has adopted the recommendations till date.

"We have been told by many other State Governments that until and unless the Centre chips in with some financial help, they will not be able to implement the recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission," the Chief Minister continued.

Making his stand clear, the Chief Minister, "This however does not mean that since other States have said they are not in a position to adopt the new pay recommendations, the SPF Government too will not extend the new pay structure to its employees" .

If the Government is to meet the demand of about 60,000 Government employees right now, then it would amount to selling off all the assets meant for the 24 odd lakh population of the State, explained Ibobi.

Everyone knows that the State has little resources of its own and it is highly unfortunate that employees of the Finance Department who know this better have joined the cease work strike, he said.

The closure of the OPD and the ultimatum served is again very unfortunate, added the Chief Minister.

Asserting that the Centre would be petitioned to foot the bill required for the 6th Pay Commission, the Chief Minister said that due pressure would be mounted on the 13th Finance team when they visit either in the first week or second week of January next year.

Since the Centre has implemented the 6th Pay Commission and since it was the Centre which worked out the new pay structure, due pressure would be exerted on it to foot the extra expenditure, the Chief Minister claimed.

Urging all to understand the situation, the Chief Minister urged the employees to drop their agitation and return to work.

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