In what to be a major setback to the government employees, the Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has grant his assent to the Goa (Regulation of House Building Advance) Ordinance, 2020 and also taken away rights of the employees to challenge the decision in the Court of law.
The ordinance had drawn wide-spread criticism throughout State, which abolishes the existing House Building Advance Scheme.
The effect of the abolition would be that every beneficiary of HBA would be charged interest at the prevailing bank rate on and from the appointed date and the Government shall not be liable to pay any amount whatsoever on such House Building Advance.
The employee will be at liberty to shift/transfer his loan account from the Bank of India to any other bank/financial institution of his/her choice within a period of one year from the date of coming into force of this Ordinance.
The monthly instalments payable by the beneficiary to Bank of India shall continue to be deducted at source from the salary of the beneficiary by the sanctioning authority/ Drawing and Disbursing Officer and paid to Bank of India.
Save as provided hereinabove, on and from the appointed date the Government shall not be liable r responsible, in any manner, in respect of the payment of the monthly installment by the beneficiary.
The notification further says that all applications pending consideration under the House Building Advance Scheme shall stand rejected with effect from the appointed date.
Shockingly, the notification says “no suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall be maintained against the Government” or any of its Officers or persons duly appointed or authorised by it in respect of any action or any order or direction issued or taken or purported to be issued or taken under the provisions of this Ordinance including on the directions/executive Instructions issued under the Circular bearing No. 7/26/2020-Fin(DMU)/ 1158 dated 3rd June, 2020.
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