Why the establishment cost is more when 6318 posts are vacant?

The establishment cost in Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is about Rs 115 crore to Rs 120 crore. Out of this Rs 32 crore is being spent on salary of the employees and Rs 13 crore on pension. Altogether Rs 45 crore is being spent. In fact, 6318 posts are fallen vacant in NMC. Expenses on salary is less than the other expenditure. Despite this seventh pay commission of the employees is not being implemented. The second question arises when the large-scale posts are vacant then why the establishment cost is more.

During the presentation of the 2019-20 budget in the NMC house it was decided to implement seventh pay commission. The commissioner had also sent a proposal to state government but the proposal could ne be approved due to poor financial health of the NMC. Leaving aside the salary and pension, the other establishment cost id Rs 85 crore. This includes water, electricity bill, city bus, the other expenditures on office-bearers and officers including vehicle.

The state government has increased the GST grant. Under which NMC gets Rs 100.05 crore per month but the expected rise in the NMC income from property tax, town planning, water tax, market department is not visible. In this situation, the possibility of revenue growth this year amid Covid pandemic is remote. In this situation employees will have to wait for seventh pay commission.

Awaiting Government Decision

The decision to give the seventh pay commission to the employees was taken in the NMC House but the state government has not given its approval for this. Therefore, the seventh pay commission was not implemented for the employees. Government decision is awaited in this context.

- Pintu Zalke, chairman standing committee

Monthly expenditure on salary and pension

Pension Rs 13 crore

Salary Rs 32 crore

Total Rs 45 crore