PANAJI
Goa government employees have requested the State government to disburse salaries for the month of November in cash instead of the usual electronic cash system (ECS).
The Goa Government Employees’ Association (GGEA) on Tuesday welcomed the central government’s decision to demonetise the 500 and 1,000 rupee notes, but have also asked the government to pay their salaries by cash for the month of November.
In a letter to the Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, GGEA president John Nazareth said, “Avoid payment of salary through banks via ECS system and instead pay the salary by cash for the month of November or until the process of withdrawal of money through ATMs becomes hassel-free.”
Reasoning with the time spent waiting in lines at ATMs, GGEA said they feared an outcry if they were not found at their offices.
“The request is made for payment of salary in cash as many government employees have reported that they have to stand in queues in banks to withdraw their salary in parts which ultimately amounts to spending the time they would use in their offices to serve the public. The said time consumption by government employees in the banks for withdrawal of money can invite public outcry and criticism that the government employees are not found in their offices,” stated Nazareth in the letter.
He added that the government would have no reasons to prevent the government employee from visiting the banks as money was an essential source for living. Ever since the demonetisation announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ATMs and banks have witnessed serpentine queues for withdrawal of money.
