Waiving of Excess Salaries: Assam Government To Lose Crores of Rupees

GUWAHATI: The Assam government stands to lose crores of rupees following its decision to waive off ‘wrongful/excess payments made to government servants’ in terms of salaries. While the move would provide relief to the government employees, it would have a major effect on the government exchequer.

Already, the Finance Department of the Government of Assam has issued an office memorandum dated June 14, 2019 with regard to the waiving of the money drawn by the government employees during their periods of service. The order will come into effect as of December 18, 2014.

The decision of the Assam Government has been taken in accordance with the verdict given by the Supreme Court with reference to such a case, on December 18, 2014. The verdict is applicable across the country.

The reason for taking the decision to waive the amount is primarily because it is the employer (here government) that determines and issues the salaries of its employees. The issue of many government employees drawing excess salaries came to light while the Pension and Public Grievances Department and other administrative departments were preparing the pension papers of some employees. The office memorandum of the Finance department further allows the Pension and Public Grievances Department to waive on its own such excess payment amounting to Rs one lakh only. However, beyond the mentioned amount, the Department will have to take the consent of the Finance department.

The earlier system was to first assess the excess amount drawn by an employee during his service tenure and then recover it from the employee concerned. Only after the amount is realised is the pension amount calculated. However, following the decision to waive the excess amount this system stands negated.

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