Maharashtra government department wants staffers to return salaries, benefits

Several employees of the disabled child empowerment programme under Maharashtra's women and child development department have been asked to immediately return the salaries and retirement benefits given to them so far.

A notice has been served in this regard to some existing as well as retired employees. The notice has mentioned that since they are not employees of the government, they should return the money paid to them.

Employees of the department had a meeting on Sunday in Mumbai to oppose the government's 'illogical' decision. "We will got to the court against the government decision. We worked as government employees and have got all due benefits. Now, why has the government asked us to pay back the benefits," questioned a retired employee.

Another employee, Pushapa Kolhatkar from Pune, said: "By reading the content of the notice, I was shocked. I had worked in this department for more than 20 years and I have also got the benefits of the fifth and sixth pay commission. I am now availing retirement benefits. All of a sudden the department is saying that we should return the benefits given by the government?"