Small savings `appeal’ to Govt employees being enforced agai

The wheels were set rolling by the then district collector, Manukumar Srivastava, at a meeting in the last week of May. It was decided that Class I officers would contribute Rs. 500 per month as a recurring deposit under small savings. For Class II officers, the contribution was fixed at Rs. 300 per month while for Class III and Class IV employees it was Rs. 100 and Rs. 50 respectively. The circulars of an open `appeal’ were then issued to government offices.

The target amount of Rs. 155 crore and the appeal to the employees to “contribute generously” have been displayed on the notice board at the divisional controller’s office of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) here.

According to a senior official, the contribution of ST employees to the recurring deposit scheme in small savings was over Rs. 39 lakh. During this financial year, ST officials were categorically told to increase the contribution by 20 per cent, said the official. “Similar orders have been issued to all State Government offices,” he said.

Since the money is used for developmental and welfare works, State Government employees should not fuss over the contribution, felt the official.

When contacted, Kiran Bhosle, assistant director of small savings, confirmed that such a decision was taken in May. He, however, said this year’s target has not been fixed yet. The target of Rs. 155 crore, he said, was an estimated target with 20 per cent increase in last year’s target of Rs. 115 crore. He made it clear that the contributions are to be voluntary but said such appeals are being made to ensure en masse participation.