The Times of India          31.10.2013

Nashik Municipal Corporation curtails Diwali bonus

NASHIK: Municipal commissioner Sanjay Khandare on Wednesday announced Rs 11,111 as Diwali ex-gratia for Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) employees, rejecting the elected representatives' proposal of Rs 13,111 as the amount on the ground of financial constraints.

Mayor Yatin Wagh had revised the ex-gratia amount to Rs 13,111 from his initial announcement of Rs 11,111 on October 23 after the opposition party leaders demanded the revision and stormed out of a meeting. Wagh later sent the proposal to the municipal commissioner. But after a meeting with the officials of the accounts department, the commissioner cut down the bo nus.

"The municipal commissioner took this decision keeping in mind the financial condition of the civic body. The amount would be deposited in the bank accounts of the employees within a couple of days. We have already started depositing the amount," an official said. Municipal Employees Sena chairperson Shivaji Sahane said a resolution was passed at the general body meeting on September 19 that Rs 13,111 would be awarded as ex-gratia amount and now the administration has deducted the amount by Rs 2,000. The mayor pledged to take up the issue with the commissioner on Thursday.