PANJIM: Seven days of the month have passed and the State government is yet to clear salaries of employees of several government departments.
Normally, the salaries of the government staff are credited to their accounts on the last day of the month and occasionally on the first of the following month.
However this time, seven days into February and many government employees are still waiting for their salaries of the month of January. Employees of some divisions/sub-offices of Electricity Department, Excise Department and Police Department have not received the salaries for the month of January.
Sources reveal that there was a paucity of funds in government departments. Recently the government sold bonds worth Rs 300 cr, which officials say was to pay salaries.
Accounts Director Prakash Pereira said the salary would be credited by Friday. “Few Departments had not made supplementary budgetary provision and after conclusion of the Assembly, the file for assent of the Governor was sent by Finance Department,” he said.
The Director claimed that the assent was received on Tuesday, upon which most of the bills that were checked and kept ready have been passed and sent for ECS clearing.
Goa Government Employees Association (GGEA) feels the salary will be credited in individual bank accounts by in a day or two. “We have requested the Accounts Director to kindly look into the matter on a priority basis and ensure that salaries are paid without any further delay,” GEGEA president John Nazareth said.
What is shocking is that the government, which is claiming a surplus budget for three consecutive years, does not have funds to pay its employees on time.
Speaking to Herald, a government official on condition of anonymity said that they have home loans, car EMIs besides children fees to be paid on time and the delay has disturbed their budgeting.
