VASCO
Staff and employees of Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) may have been assured a Diwali bonus, but they have now demanded their salaries before the Diwali festival.
MMC Councillor Vinod Kinlekar confirmed that staffers were yet to receive their salaries.
"The MMC has announced a bonus but I feel that salaries have to be cleared first. I request the government to release salaries of MMC staff by Wednesday and the bonus can be given at a later stage," said Kinlekar.
When contacted, MMC Chairperson Damodar Kaskar said as per arrangements, it was decided to give Diwali bonus to municipal workers.
"Daily wage workers will be given their wages and pensions will be cleared. We will also give uniform allowance on Diwali.”
“We agreed to the fact that this month the salaries of the staff was delayed as we are awaiting DA allowance and salary grants. Further, we are also going to receive some dues and once all these things are in place, salaries will be released immediately.”
“There are some legal aspects, due to which the recovery of dues is not happening properly and this has led to a delay in salaries," said Kaskar.
Vasudev Dhavade, General Secretary of Goa Municipal Employees Association, appealed to authorities not to keep employee salaries on hold, especially during Diwali festival.
"I have met the MMC chairperson and chief officer and explained the issue of employees. I have been informed that the delay in salaries is due to insufficient funds with the MMC as there was no proper recovery.”
“Presently, the MMC has only Rs 60 lakh in funds and from this, the municipal staff will be given Diwali bonus, uniform allowance and salaries of daily wage workers. The MMC will also release pension.”
“I have also been told that once government grants come, staff salaries will be released. As of now, MMC will pay only bonus," said Dhavade.
