from Sanjay Borkar in Margao for Daijiworld News Network - Goa

Margao, Feb 6: All Goa Municipal Employees' Association (AGMEA) has strongly opposed the government decision of introducing the common cadre in the state, terming it illegal.

For the last 15 years, the state government. has been planning to introduce the common cadre for municipalities, but they have not succeeded.. Now urban development minister Joaquim Alemao has said that the common cadre for municipalities would be introduced in the next two to three months, after taking into confidence all concerned, including the Opposition.

For opposing the government decision AGMEA president Keshav Prabhu, at a press conference held in a city hotel, said that the government decision to introduce the common cadre was illegal, as they had not taken AGMEA in confidence before taking any decision.

" The government should ask us what our difficulties would if it implements the step and the workers are transferred to any other municipalities, then how pension and other facilities will be updated, since the records will be in the erstwhile municipality," he added.

He also said that if the government stuck to its decision, AGMEA would shut down all the municipalities and would agitate against the proposal.

AGMEA secretary Anil Shirodkar alleged that the government was doint it on purpose to harass the workers.