Assam’s Heritage Sites in Jeopardy as 180 Contract Staff Remain Unpaid for Six Months

Around 180 contractual employees hired by two private firms to maintain 167 archaeological sites in Assam, including the UNESCO-listed Charaideo Moidams, have not been paid for six months. These workers, critical to site upkeep due to only 25 permanent staff, have stopped reporting for duty, affecting maintenance. The delay stems from the state government not clearing contractor bills worth over ₹2 crore. Officials admit the issue and say the finance department’s pending approval is the cause. With no routine maintenance or staff, sites are deteriorating. The government has acknowledged the crisis and promised to resolve the salary issue soon.