MARGAO
The Margao Municipal Council administration was caught napping at the council meeting on Monday over a host of issues, including the ordinate delay in the settlement of retirement dues, including provident fund and gratuity.
Perhaps for the first time in recent times, a widow and her children made their presence felt at the council meeting, seeking to know why the dues of her husband remained unresolved to date.
Sympathizing with the family, city fathers cutting across party lines said the episode has brought shame to the civic body for denying the right of workers and their families in getting their dues on time.
The administration was also exposed hollow over the issue of granting benefits to workers and employees by not revising their salaries over the last two decades. To add insult to injury, councillors expressed shock and surprise that a senior employee had taken benefit of revised salaries by taking advantage of her position.
The council has set MMC Chief Officer, Agnelo Fernandes, one-month time to resolve the grievances of the retired employees within a month-time.
