MARGAO, JUNE 29
Saying that the government is committed in implementing common cadre for the Municipal employees in the State, Urban Development Minister, Joaquim Alemao has said the proposal is kept in abeyance for the moment in view of the financial implications arising out of the implementation of the Sixth Pay Recommendations.
He said the common cadre proposal has come back from the Law Department, with a observation that the State government may take a decision on the matter. But, the government has not taken a final decision as it involves assessing the financial implications. “After the sixth pay recommendations came into force, the salaries of the employees have gone up tremendously. The burden of paying the Municipal employees salaries will rest on the government once the common cadre is implemented”, he added.
“Chief Minister Digambar Kamat is very serious in introducing common cadre for the Municipal staff. The government will look into the demand from the Municipal Councillors “, he said.
Alemao’s statement assumes significance given that the Margao Municipal Councillors on Monday demanded common cadre for Municipal staff to bring discipline and efficiency in the employees.
However, the Goa Municipal Employees Association has vehemently opposed common cadre for the Municipal staff. “Municipal employees from Margao and across the state will resort to agitation as well as challenge the government decision on common cadre in the court of law”, warned Association general secretary Anil Shirodkar.
He maintained that common cadre is not at all a solution to the problem, adding that common cadre concept will only take away powers of the Municipal bodies to the Director of Municipal Administration (DMA).
“We have always maintained that the Municipal officers are free to initiate action against any erring employee. At the same time, the elected Councillors should not except the employees to do any illegal work or to dance to their tunes”, Shirodkar added.
