Team Herald
PANJIM: The election for the president of the Association of Goa Civil Services Officers (AGCSO) has not been held for the past eight years. As a result, Goa Civil Services (GCS) officers have faced political humiliation and apathy, with no one holding them accountable for their duties.
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Several incidents of humiliation and neglect towards GCS officers in recent days have gone unnoticed. The latest incident involved Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho calling GCS officer Dipesh Priolkar “incompetent”, which has not been well received by officers across the State.
The AGCSO’s annual general body meeting has been scheduled for January 28 at the Secretariat Seminar Hall in Porvorim at 5 pm. Sources revealed that plans are in place to elect a new executive committee and complete the process
without any meaningful discussion.
Ironically, many officers who faced similar embarrassments in the past had to remain silent. However, some officers now say that the Association is expected to take a stand regarding their problems and the humiliation they face in public.
The GCS officers are now calling for the activation of the association. A GCS officer, who wished to remain anonymous, told O Heraldo, “The association elections have not been held for several years. The meeting called for Tuesday, January 28, is scheduled at a time when all the officials are working across the State. How are officers supposed to attend in
this situation?”
The AGCSO has nearly 200 registered members, all GCS officers. Sources have indicated that several officers, who have faced humiliation and neglect, have longed to voice their concerns before the association. The lack of action from the association has further angered the beleaguered members.
When contacted, AGCSO Secretary Rajan Satardekar said, “The executive committee will meet and decide whether to hold the meeting on January 28 or postpone it.” However, it was later resolved to go ahead with the meeting
at 5 pm.
Yet another officer, speaking anonymously, added: “Holding the meeting on a working day will result in stoppage of work at 200 offices across the State, which is not a good sign.”
