PCMC Mayor Approves Ex-Gratia Grant for Contractual Workers

Around 10,000 contractual employees may receive Diwali financial assistance; minimum ₹15,000 sought by labour leader Yashwant Bhosale

 PIMPRI : Nearly 10,000 contractual workers employed by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) may receive special ex-gratia assistance for Diwali, following a meeting between Mayor Ravi Landge and National Labour Front president Yashwant Bhosale on Friday.
 The meeting, held at the Mayor’s office at 11 am, focused on Diwali bonuses and wage-related issues faced by contractual employees. Bhosale urged the Mayor to sanction an ex-gratia grant of at least ₹15,000 for each contractual worker, on the lines of the financial assistance extended to permanent civic employees.
 Taking a positive view of the demand, Mayor Landge directed the Chief Auditor to examine the financial implications and calculate the maximum amount the civic body could afford. He also instructed the accounts department to submit its opinion by Friday afternoon. The Mayor indicated that an announcement on the grant would be made in the evening after reviewing the financial assessment.
 Landge said the issue of bonuses for contractual workers had been brought to his notice by Bhosale, who had consistently fought for workers’ rights over the years.
 “Nearly 10,000 contractual workers are engaged in the health, security and other departments of the municipal corporation. They work hard to ensure that civic services reach citizens efficiently. We are fully aware of their contribution,” Landge said.
 He added that some workers had already benefited from wage revisions, through which they were receiving approximately ₹18,000 to ₹19,000 annually in the form of bonuses. However, the civic administration would examine the financial position before deciding the additional ex-gratia amount.
 Labour leader Yashwant Bhosale welcomed the Mayor’s positive response and said this was the first time a Mayor had shown such sensitivity towards the concerns of contractual employees.
 He pointed out that contractual workers often perform demanding duties in sanitation, healthcare, security and other essential civic services, despite not enjoying the same employment benefits as permanent staff.
 Bhosale also raised concerns over the actual payment of statutory bonuses. He said civic officials had informed him that some contractors were showing bonus payments under a separate head in workers’ salary slips. However, he stressed that workers employed by contractors who had not paid bonuses separately must receive their legally entitled benefits.
 “The administration must verify whether every contractual worker has actually received the bonus. Merely showing a bonus
component in salary records is
not enough,” he said.
 Reiterating his demand, Bhosale urged the municipal corporation
to provide at least ₹15,000 as Diwali ex-gratia assistance to
every contractual worker.
 With the Mayor promising to announce the decision after the financial assessment, thousands
of contractual employees
are now awaiting clarity on the amount they will receive this Diwali.