Pimpri: Municipal Corporation employees demand continuation of Dhanvantari scheme; stage protests outside the Corporation building

Pimpri: On Wednesday, the Employees’ Federation of the Municipal administration held a symbolic fast at the entrance of the Municipal Corporation demanding continuation of the Dhanvantari scheme. They were supported by Nationalist Congress Party and Shivsena. Earlier, Municipal Commissioner Shravan Hardikar had issued an order to implement insurance policy by discontinuing the Dhanvantari health scheme for Municipal employees.

Dhanvantari Health Scheme has been running for the last ten years for the employees of the Municipal Corporation. Thousands of employees have benefited from the scheme every year. Many have sought treatment in municipal and government hospitals as well as other private hospitals. However, it is the policy of the administration to implement an insurance policy instead of the Dhanvantari health scheme. The municipal general body approved the proposal last year. Accordingly, the insurance scheme has been implemented for all the employees. However, the staff federation has opposed the scheme and taken a stand that Dhanvantari scheme should be continued instead of the insurance policy.

Meanwhile, NCP city president Sanjog Waghere, working president Prashant Shitole, corporator Vinod Nadhe, Rahul Bhosale, Sameer Masulkar, Shiv Sena group leader Rahul Kalate came to the protest site and expressed support to the workers’ agitation.

Municipal general meeting was held on Wednesday, where provisions of Rs 21 crore for Dhanvantari scheme was subject to classification. Approval was given while the matter was being read and the matter was approved by the presiding officer, Mayor Usha Dhore. After that, some corporators tore up the agenda and threw it in the hall. NCP corporators objected, saying, “We were not allowed to speak on the issue.” The mayor went on to approve the next five issues.

The federation has approached the industrial court against the implementation of the insurance scheme by the commissioner despite opposition from the federation. Amber Chinchwade, Federation’s President said, “The court has directed that the Dhanvantari scheme should not be closed till the next hearing,”. Meanwhile, the next hearing will be held on February 8.