Delay in disbursement of festival advance annoys civic employees

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

Festival advance payments for municipal corporation employees have been delayed after the funds got stuck in the bank, leaving staff distressed. The amount of Rs 12,500 is now expected to be credited to employees’ accounts on Monday.

Every year, backward class employees of the municipal corporation are given a festival advance on the occasion of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti. However, as the money was not credited to their bank accounts until 6 pm on Friday, employees raised strong objections. Various labour unions and leaders questioned the administration, especially with a weekend holiday ahead, asking when the funds would actually be disbursed.

Taking note of the growing outrage, the municipal administration transferred the funds to the bank late in the evening. However, the bank did not credit the amount to employees’ accounts.

As per government orders, Grade IV employees are entitled to a festival advance of Rs 12,500 during occasions such as Diwali, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti and Ramzan Eid. This amount is later recovered through monthly salary deductions. This year, as the amount was not received even by the evening of April 10, employees were left anxious.

After 6 pm, employees and labour leaders began questioning the administration. With Saturday and Sunday being holidays, concerns were raised about when employees would be able to make festival purchases if the money was only credited on Monday. Allegations were also made that the administration was deliberately harassing employees.

Labour leader Sanjay Ragde and corporator Ashok Hiwarale had earlier demanded that the money be released in advance of Dr Ambedkar Jayanti. However, the administration did not take the matter seriously. Sources from the accounts department stated that the funds had been transferred to the bank on Friday evening and were expected to be credited by Saturday.

No credit even on Saturday

Corporator Hiwarale said that not a single sanitation worker had received the festival advance in their account. He questioned why the payment was delayed despite being an advance (and not a grant), which is later deducted from salaries. He also raised concerns about how employees would manage festival shopping if the funds were only credited on Monday.