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

Around 180 contractual employees engaged by the Directorate of Archaeology to manage 167 monuments in Assam—including the UNESCO-recognized Charaideo Moidams—have not received their salaries for over six months. These staffers, hired through private contractors CIIMS and Sankar Pujari, are responsible for vital functions such as monument maintenance, research, housekeeping, security, and cleaning. With only 25 permanent government employees in the department, the contractual staff form the backbone of monument upkeep.

Employees reported that salary irregularities began in late 2024, with some receiving partial payments for September, October, and November, and no payment since January 2025. One junior research assistant described receiving his full salary only for the first month of work. Others, including sweepers supporting families, have been forced to seek daily wage jobs elsewhere. The staff's withdrawal from duties has severely impacted the upkeep of these historic sites. Basic maintenance work like lawn trimming, restroom cleaning, and site security has come to a halt, tarnishing the visitor experience.

The non-payment issue stems from the Assam government’s delay in clearing bills amounting to over ₹2 crore owed to the two contractors since the 2023–24 financial year. Officials from the Directorate of Archaeology confirmed that although bill sanctions were forwarded on time, final approval from the state finance department was not granted, leading to a financial deadlock. Contractors initially paid salaries from their own funds, but rising liabilities eventually made it unsustainable.

A senior official admitted that no routine maintenance is being carried out at most of the sites, except for the Charaideo Moidams, which is Assam’s only UNESCO World Heritage site. With monsoon rains further deteriorating site conditions, overgrown vegetation and filthy restrooms are now common. The absence of dedicated maintenance funds has prevented the hiring of daily wage laborers for temporary support.

The manpower shortage is critical—only 25 monument attendants are currently working against the required 200 to maintain all 167 sites. This acute understaffing threatens the long-term preservation of Assam’s rich historical and cultural heritage.

When approached for comment, Archaeology Director Deepi Rekha Kouli acknowledged the payment delays and assured that the government is working on a solution. She refrained from making further comments but expressed hope that salaries would be disbursed soon.

The Charaideo Moidams, recognized by UNESCO in July 2024, are the most prominent among Assam’s archaeological treasures. In recognition of their efforts in achieving UNESCO status for the Moidams, a team from the Directorate of Archaeology received the Assam government’s 'Karmashree' award in 2024.

Ironically, in December 2024, the same government sent an eight-member team to Egypt for a 10-day heritage study tour. The visit aimed to gather insights into world-class conservation practices—resources that some critics argue might have been better spent on solving the ongoing salary crisis and ensuring basic maintenance of Assam’s monuments.

This situation underscores a growing disconnect between high-profile heritage initiatives and the welfare of the frontline workers responsible for sustaining them.