Panaji: Goa Human Rights Commission recommended that the insurance medical officer of ESI Hospital, Margao, refund Rs 4.8 lakh to retired multi-tasking staff member Teotonio Jose Maria Pereira, deducted from his gratuity after a pay fixation review.The commission directed the amount be refunded within 60 days, failing which it will attract 8% interest from the date of the order. Relying on various judgments, the commission held that govt should not have recovered the amount after his retirement on Feb 28, 2025, as the excess payment was not due to any misrepresentation by him.“The recovery from a Group C employee is iniquitous, harsh, arbitrary, and violates his human rights,” said acting chairperson Desmond D’Costa and member Pramod Kamat. He retired after over 31 years and eight months of service. Directorate of accounts later revised his pay and effected the recovery.
