The Times of India            22.05.2013

PCMC plans insurance cover for high-risk jobs

PUNE: The PimpriChinchwad Municipal Corporation ( PCMC) has decided to provide insurance cover to its employees involved in high-risk jobs.

"The civic body has made a provision of Rs 25 lakh in the annual budget of 2013-14 for insurance cover to its employees and officials," labour officer Chandrakant Indalkar said.

There are 7,550 people employed with the civic body. Though it pays risk allowance of up to Rs 250 to some, there is a possibility of employees sustaining injuries and even losing their lives while at work, Indalkar said. "The civic body has decided to provide insurance cover to all such employees," he added.

The labour welfare department has asked all departmental heads to send details of employees before May 31. The insurance cover is important since the civic body is already engaged in a massive demolition drive since the last year.

"The civic body started a drive to demolish unauthorized constructions since last year. There is a possibility that the owners of illegal buildings may turn violent and attack the anti-encroachment squad. Besides, accidents may also occur during the demolition work causing injuries and even death of the employees," Indalkar said.

He said the civic body already provides insurance cover to 204 employees of the anti-encroachment squad, which will expire in September. "The civic body provides insurance cover to the employees and officials of fire brigade and Bahinabai Chaudhary Snake Park," he added. The civic body has also planned to extend insurance protection to employees who clean the drainage lines and those working with the electricity department and handle high tension wires.