Guwahati: A growing crisis is unfolding at the heart of Assam’s heritage conservation efforts, as nearly 180 contractual employees deployed by the Directorate of Archaeology to protect 167 historical monuments across the state—most notably the UNESCO-recognised Charaideo Moidams—have not been paid for over six months.
The delayed payments have severely disrupted maintenance operations and demoralised staff, with many reportedly abandoning their duties out of financial desperation.
According to sources within the department and contractors CIIMS and Sankar Pujari, the state government has failed to clear outstanding bills totalling more than ₹2 crore, some pending since the 2023–24 financial year. This delay has left monument attendants, young archaeologists, junior researchers, and housekeeping staff in limbo, struggling to sustain themselves on unpaid wages. While some contractors tried to cover salaries from their own pockets till late 2024, the financial burden has since become unsustainable.
One junior research assistant posted at Charaideo Moidams said he hasn’t received a full salary since September 2024. “We are educated and committed to preserving our culture, but how can we work without being paid?” he said, requesting anonymity. Similarly, a sweeper now working as a daily labourer to support his family of four lamented the lack of security at the heritage site, saying no staff had returned since December due to unpaid wages.
These staffers, who earn between ₹12,000 and ₹30,000 per month, are critical to monument upkeep, especially given the Directorate’s limited permanent workforce—just 25 employees to manage 167 sites. Officials admit that this accounts for less than 15% of the actual need, with routine maintenance across most monuments suspended entirely. Overgrown grass, filthy restrooms, and general neglect now greet visitors at many heritage locations.
A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the department forwarded the salary bills in a timely manner, and even received sanction, but could not release the funds due to the absence of ‘ceiling approval’ from the state finance department. With no separate maintenance fund available, authorities are unable to even hire daily wage earners to keep sites clean during the monsoon.
Despite growing frustration, officials assure that efforts are underway to resolve the crisis. “Yes, there have been some issues in giving the salaries on time. However, the process is on and we hope that the salaries will be released soon,” said Archaeology Director Deepi Rekha Kouli, refraining from further comment.
The situation presents a paradox. In 2024, the Directorate of Archaeology was lauded with the Assam government’s ‘Karmashree’ award for successfully securing UNESCO recognition for the Charaideo Moidams. The same year, an eight-member team was even sent on a study tour to Egypt to explore global best practices in heritage management. Yet, back home, the caretakers of Assam’s legacy are left unpaid, their dedication unreciprocated.
As the crisis drags on, the very heritage the state seeks to promote is at risk of falling into decay. For now, the monuments stand—silent witnesses to a promise unfulfilled.
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