Adv Carlos to take govt to court over decision to move teachers salaries to Axis Bank

Adv Carlos to take govt to court over decision to move teachers salaries to Axis Bank

PANAJI: Aldona Congress MLA Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira on Tuesday said he would move court against the government’s decision to ask schools to move all salary accounts of teachers to Axis Bank, the country’s third largest private bank.

Referring to a circular issued by the Directorate of Education, Adv Carlos questioned whether the circular was issued in favour of Axis Bank because Amruta Fadnavis, the wife of BJP Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis was the Vice President of the Bank.

“The first time the institutions came to me I was shocked at how the government can ask schools to route salaries through a private bank. That means you are wanting to give this payment to benefit a private entity,” Adv Carlos said.

“I will also challenge this decision on behalf of the institutions because the circular specifies that it should be given to a private bank. Rule 62 of the school education rules clearly says that salaries should be paid through nationalised banks. How can a circular override a rule?” he asked.

“I’m also asking for information from the Director of Education whether any decision was taken by the government. Whether any application of mind was made. Whether any letters were made, tenders were invited calling upon any bank to submit their quotations. What is the basis of selection of Axis bank?”

“And if I don’t get the proper answers and if I find that it is a pure direction that is not coming from the government and by the director himself I will be filing an FIR for a case of corruption because of a clear case of nepotism. If it is done by the government, we have to take those responsible in the government for the FIR,” he said.

“On the face of it, when it is contrary to the rule it is illegal; I will first issue a notice. Independently I will get information on how this decision was taken and I will then go to the court if they don’t withdraw it,” he also said adding that in the whole of Aldona constituency there wasn’t any branch of Axis bank forcing teachers and schools to run to either Mapusa or Panjim for work to be done.

In Maharashtra someone has approached the High Court with a petition, which is pending before the High Court challenging this very decision and alleging that as CM he misused his position to direct all these salaries to be transferred and payments to be made through Axis Bank.