PUNE: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has decided to provide N-95 masks to its staff members working in isolation wards at municipal hospitals. The decision was taken on Monday during the standing committee meeting, which was presided by chairman Dnyaneshwar Bhalerao. The demand for the masks for all staff members, including ward boys, had been made by standing committee member Ashok Sonavane. The total number of masks that would be required is yet to be ascertained.

Bhalerao said a resolution was approved to increase the monthly honorarium of 120 contract sanitary workers of the education department from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000. The workers maintain cleanliness at municipal schools. Sonavane said the hike will result in additional burden of Rs 3 to 3.25 lakh to the civic exchequer or around Rs 40 lakh per year.

The standing committee meeting held on Monday is likely to be the last weekly meeting of the committee before the election code of conduct for assembly elections comes into force. But no major proposals were approved during the meeting. Among the resolutions approved include constructing of a multi-purpose hall for a school in sector 22 of Nigdi, at an expenditure of Rs 13.61 lakh, and purchasing of uniforms for civic employees at an expenditure of Rs 73.19 lakh.

Speaking to TOI on Monday, Baban Zinjurde, president, Pimpri-Chinchwad Mhanagarpalika Karmacharai Mahasangh, said around 2,000 civic employees are eligible for uniforms. These workers comprise peons, labourers, drivers, and octroi and sanitary inspectors. The PCMC provides a pair of uniforms to these employees per year.