THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai on Tuesday wrote to the Chief Secretary with a plea for immediate release of pending salaries of 458 teaching and non-teaching employees of the Diocesan Society of Education.
He drew the attention of the Chief Secretary to the fact that despite the assurance handed out by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on the floor of the Assembly to clear the salaries within two days, the employees remain unpaid.
In his letter, the Goa Forward chief pointed out the continuing hardship being faced by 458 teaching and non-teaching employees of the Diocesan Society of Education, whose salaries have remained pending on account of the non-processing of their appointment approvals by the government.
“I had raised this matter during Zero Hour in the Goa Legislative Assembly on August 31, highlighting the serious financial and humanitarian consequences of the prolonged delay. These employees have been rendering their services in the schools of the Diocesan Society despite not receiving their rightful salaries,” he said.
He added: “The Diocesan Society of Education runs 138 schools in Goa and has made a substantial contribution to the State's education system over several decades. The matter is particularly serious in view of the judgment of the High Court of Bombay at Goa dated October 3, 2025, which dealt with the pending approvals and appointment-related issues concerning the Society's employees.”
Sardesai said that despite the directions of the Court, the issue has continued to remain unresolved, resulting in employees being deprived of their salaries for no fault of theirs.
“It is further understood that on 20th August 2025 the High Court of Bombay at Goa has subsequently taken note of non-compliance with its directions and contempt proceedings have been initiated in relation to the implementation of the judgment.
"The continuation of the dispute between the Government and the management cannot, however, be permitted to result in employees being deprived of their salaries indefinitely,” he said.
During the Assembly proceedings on 31 August 2026, the Chief Minister had assured the House that the pending salaries would be cleared within two days.
While saying no action has been initiated till date despite the assurance, Sardesai urged the Chief Secretary to direct the concerned authorities to process and release all pending salaries of the 458 teaching and non-teaching employees without further delay, in accordance with the directions of the High Court and the assurance given on the floor of the Assembly.
He also asked the Chief Secretary to ensure that the pending appointment approvals are processed expeditiously and that no employee is made to suffer financially.
