the goan I network
MARGAO
High drama unfolded at the Margao municipality on Monday morning after beleaguered retired daily wage municipal workers came face to face with Chief Officer Sidhivinayak Naik over the inordinate delay in the payment of their provident fund dues.
While the chief officer claimed that the workers led by activist Camilo Barretto restrained him from proceedings to the office of the Sub-Registrar to execute a lease deed, the workers charged the chief officer for high handedness, demanding to know whether the officer has ignored them just because they hail from the Scheduled Tribe community. Even as the chief officer threatened to lodge a complaint with the police against Camilo and the workers, Camilo said the ST workers will also lodge an FIR against the chief officer for meting out injustice to the workers and for insulting them by allegedly making a reference to their caste.
The incident occurred on Monday morning when Camilo along with the eight retired daily wage workers came to see the chief officer. Camilo claimed that instead of calling the delegation inside, the chief officer left the chamber and moved out of the building towards a Kerala-registered car. Camilo and the workers followed the chief officer right up to the parking lot, wherein heated exchanges ensued between Naik and the workers. As the retired workers were not ready to relent and stood in front of the vehicle, the chief officer came out of the private car and boarded a municipal vehicle to head to the Collectorate.
Camilo told the media that the workers had come to find out about their provident fund payments since they were told last time that the civic body would call the consultant to resolve the matter once and for all.
He said the eight workers will go on an indefinite hunger strike from October 1.
On the other hand, the chief officer said the workers did not come with any appointment, adding that the workers should get their cases settled with the Provident Fund office.
Margao Police received a complaint from Chief Officer Naik and a counter complaint from Camilo and the workers.
