NATALINA VAZ Vs. STATE OF GOA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner happens to be the widow of Jose Mendes, who started working with the Portuguese Government in the year 1939 till his death on 21-10-1958. The widow approached the State Government under the pension scheme that came to be floated in the year 1987 by Memorandum dated 16-4-1987. This Memorandum is not on record but its reference is to be found at Exhibit D at page 42.

(2.) INITIALLY, the Government of India as also the Government of Goa had worked out a pension scheme where the date of death was fixed to be 19-12-1961. The aforesaid date was made relevant as the State of Goa came to be liberated from under the Portuguese rule on that date.

(3.) THE successor Government took over the Territory of Goa after liberation. The Government of India, the State at that time being an Union Territory, by the said Memorandum of the year 1987, decided to give benefit of pension to the surviving employees of the erstwhile colonial power and in the event of their death, to their family members.