Team Herald
MARGAO: Taking serious note of major impact of abolition of octroi and no support from the government in return, which has resulted in shortage of funds even to pay the salaries, the Goa Municipal Employees Association (GMEA) on Tuesday urged the municipalities across Goa to suggest the State government to decide in principal to compensate all the councils.
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The GMEA submitted a memorandum to all the municipal councils of State in this regard to discuss the issue in the respective council meeting and table a resolution, and get it passed to suggest the government to decide upon the issue. They have even attached the copy of the Maharashtra Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to local Authorities) Act, 2017.
As informed by the Anil Shirodkar, general secretary of GMEA, as a result of lack of government financial support, as assured while taking the decision to abolish octroi duty, most council in the State of Goa are now facing total financial crises, and other difficulties not only to implement the social welfare programmes of the commission but also to meet their primary duty of making payment of earned wages to all class of employees.
The memorandum states that the employees of Sanguem Municipal Council were not paid their salaries for the period of four months. Reportedly, Margao Municipal Council, besides Mormugao and other municipalities are also facing a tough time to pay the salaries of their employees due to financial crises.
Recently, the Margao civic body had witnessed a strike from the employees for non-payment of Diwali bonus. A few days before, Minister for Urban Development Milind Naik had also admitted that due to abolition of octroi duty, financial positions of the municipalities across Goa have been badly suffered, and he had even assured to take up the matter with the Chief Minister.
