KATHY PEREIRA
Canacona Municipal Council did not have sufficient funds to pay the salaries of its staff barely a week ago, but that has not stopped the CMC from agreeing to enhance the staff allowances even if it means an additional burden of about Rs 9 lakh.
While the decision is being seen as politically motivated to appease the employees, the CO has warned the councillors that the additional allowances could exert added pressure on the council’s near empty coffers.
Till October 7, all the 20-odd regular staff had not been paid salaries for September, prompting the union to threaten to lodge a complaint with the labour commissioner.
“As per the rules, employers should disburse salary to its staff by seventh of the following month and we are filing a plaint against CMC for not adhering to the rules,” AGMEA president Keshav Prabhu had told Herald.
A CMC source had told Herald that an acute paucity of funds in the CMC coffers had left officials reluctant to dig into reserve funds to make salary payments’.
“Since the Ruby Residency building collapse, hardly any licences or NOCs have been issued and this has stopped CMC’s major income ,” a source told Herald.
“Only the three common cadre CMC staff (CO, municipal engineer and accountant) get paid with matching grants from the government. The grants to other regular staff have to be met by the civic body concerned from the funds generated locally,” the source added.
Incidentally, CMC paid the August wages to its daily wage workers at the fag end of September.
Even though the CMC managed to pay the September salaries only on October 13, CMC on Tuesday approved the staff union’s demand to enhance medical and washing allowances, besides agreeing to increased uniform expenses.
During its meeting, the CMC resolved to enhance monthly medical allowances from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500, with a condition of no reimbursement of medical bills.
The CMC agreed to hike the annual uniform allowance from Rs 3,800 to Rs 5,000 to its staff engaged in outstation duties. The daily wage workers were granted a hike from Rs 3000 to Rs 4000 for the purchase of uniforms, boots, etc.
The washing allowance was enhanced from Rs 230 to Rs 400, while the council agreed to the demand to fill up vacant posts by seeking revival of the lapsed posts.
CO Sudhin Natu cautioned the councillors that these resolutions would entail an annual financial burden of up to Rs 9 lakh.
Chairman Simon Rebelo assured that steps have already been taken to generate funds for the civic coffers.
“Reassessment of rent, taxes and renewal leases of shops, recovery of arrears of taxes are on. Income from tourism is due and income from other avenues will be tapped to make CMC self-reliant,” said Rebelo.
The CMC decided to reassess the rentals of its properties and trade licence fees, which had been untouched for over a decade.
