Team Herald
PANJIM: In a surprising move, the State government has established an additional post of Director of Accounts for the South Goa district, appointing Satyavan Talwadkar to the position. This decision comes as Talwadkar has approached the High Court of Bombay at Goa, challenging the extension of service granted to the current Director of Accounts, Dilip Humraskar.
Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Talwadkar has taken charge of his new role under protest, pending the High Court's decision. Meanwhile, Vitornio Colaco, previously the Joint Director of Accounts in Margao, has been transferred to the Directorate of Accounts office in Porvorim.
The controversy began when the government extended Humraskar's service from September 1 of this year. Talwadkar, being the seniormost Joint Director of Accounts, filed a writ petition contesting this decision. During the hearing, the High Court instructed the government to submit its reply within two weeks, noting that Talwadkar is set to retire in three months. The Court has scheduled the next hearing for October 1.
In response to these developments, the Congress party has criticized the State government for allegedly denying rightful promotion to Talwadkar, who belongs to the Scheduled Tribes (ST) community. The party has raised questions about the rationale behind creating an additional Director of Accounts position in South Goa and whether similar posts will be established in other departments. They argue that the government's actions foster a perception among ST communities that they are being denied their entitled benefits.