Mumbai: ‘Stop harassing civic employees over pandemic expenditure’

Members of the coordination committee of BMC unions also opposed the removal of sections 332 and 352 from the IPC

Unions of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) employees have demanded that the inquiry of civic officials in the audit of COVID-19 pandemic expenditure be stopped. Claiming that the authorities are harassing BMC employees, members plan to hold a morcha against the state government on August 23. The president of the coordination committee of BMC employee unions, Baba Kadam, said at a press conference held on Thursday at the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh at Fort, "BMC staffers worked during the pandemic at a risk to their lives. But now allegations are being levelled at them due to political motivation. This is demoralising BMC officials and employees. We will hold a morcha on August 23 to stop this harassment. Members of unions will also meet Chief Minister Eknath Shinde."

Waman Baviskar, a member of the coordination committee, said, "The BMC spent on prevention and made curative expenditure under the Epidemic Control Act, 1897 during the pandemic. The expenditure incurred under this Act cannot be audited as per a provision under section 4. At least 480 officers and staff died during the pandemic on duty. Staff and officers have risked their lives. Now they are being accused." The state government has conducted a special audit of BMC expenses during the pandemic, and also appointed a special investigation team to investigate pandemic expenditures. The coordination committee also opposed the removal of Sections 332 and 352 from the Indian Penal Code. These clauses protect on-duty government employees.

Kadam, also president of Municipal Karmachari Kamgar Sena, which is led by Shiv Sena (UBT) said, "Many times BMC employees face threats and even face mob attacks. If these articles are removed, it will be difficult for staff and officials to do their duty. We have come to know that an MLA has demanded the removal of these sections during the monsoon session." Talking about the recent attack on a BMC official of Bandra by Shiv Sena (UBT) members, Kadam said, "We are with our employees."

23 August
Day unions plan to hold protest against inquiry into expenditure