MARGAO
With the MUCB liquidation notice calling upon the depositors to submit their claims within two months, questions have come to the fore in respect of the depositors who are settled abroad for the purpose of employment.
This question assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the fact that there may be hundreds, if not thousands of depositors, who may be presently abroad for the purpose of employment.
Reason: A couple of MUCB branches are located in areas such as San Andre, Benaulim and Curtorim and not to mention Margao, where a significant percentage of depositors may be employed in the shipping industry or settled in the UK.
Sources pointed out that the two-month period may go against the depositors, who are sailors and presently sailing and expected to return after the contract period, maybe after the two-month claim period.
When this question was brought to the notice of the MUCB Managing Director and Liquidator-appointed designated officer, Kishore Amonkar, he said this question will have to be addressed keeping in mind the interest of the depositors.
“As per the rules in force, the depositor’s presence will be required to claim the money since it is akin to the account holders personally present in the bank at the time of withdrawal. For the moment, the bank has given a two-month period for the depositors to submit their claims,” he added.
The MUCB MD and designated officer, however, conceded that the number of depositors presently staying abroad may run into hundreds considering the fact that a large number of Goans are employed abroad.
