PANJIM: The Goa Forward Party on Tuesday demanded that government should immediately withdraw the circular scrapping Housing Building Advance (HBA) Scheme, initiated in 1988 for the government servants.
Addressing the media persons, GFP General Secretary Mohandas Lolienkar said that if the step is towards the austerity measure, then government should first reduce its cabinet to only three including Chief Minister, thus controlling wasteful expenditure.
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Pointing out that the circular was sent to the bank with regards to closure of the scheme on February 27, Lolienkar said that the decision was not in view of COVID pandemic.
“We demand that government should immediately roll back its decision with regards to those employees who currently benefiting under the scheme and also for those, who have got sanctions,” he said adding that government can stop new sanctions under the scheme henceforth.
Under the HBA Scheme, the government employees were entitled to a housing loan at a negligible two per cent rate of interest, while the remaining seven per cent was borne by the State government. Government had on March 22 issued circular in this regard.
Lolienkar said that several thousand employees have availed the benefit while many loans are still being repaid. “If the banks start charging entire 10 per cent, then it would be suicidal for the government employees,” he said.
GFP leader charged that Dr Pramod Sawant-led government is out to withdraw all the schemes introduced by former chief minister late Manohar Parrikar.
Responding to a question on the fact that this could be an austerity measure, Lolienkar said that the party doesn’t think so.
“If that is the case, then reduce the wasteful expenditure done on Cabinet ministers,” he stated.
