PANJIM: The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) has asked the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) commissioner to pay retired engineer John Abreu his retiring benefits from December 31, 2019, to August 11, 2021, at a five per cent rate of interest per annum on the delayed payment.
Abreu retired as a municipal engineer Grade-I on December 31, 2019, and received his retirement benefits only on August 12, 2021, but no interest was paid to him. He filed a complaint before the GHRC on February 28 this year.
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In his reply, the CCP commissioner agreed in principle that the interest at the rate of three per cent per annum on the principal amount has to be paid.
Citing a ruling of the Calcutta High Court, the three-member Commission comprising Chairman Justice Utkarsh V Bakre and members Judge Desmond D’Costa and Pramod Kamat said that it is the bounden duty of the State to disburse the gratuity and pension amount on the due date. It further held that if the State has failed to do so and has released such amount after unexplained delay, it is obliged to pay interest at the rate of five per cent per annum.
The Commission said that a copy of the inquiry report is sent to the respondent CCP calling for its comments, including the action taken or proposed to be taken within a period of 60 days or on or before November 7, 2022, in terms of Section 18 (e) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
