Panvel Municipal Corporation Employees Deprived of COVID Allowance Even After Four Years
Panvel, Dec 9: When COVID-19 began spreading rapidly across the world in early 2020, India too witnessed a sharp rise in cases by the end of March. With the nationwide lockdown announced by the central government, healthcare workers across all cadres served tirelessly, risking their own lives to care for COVID-19 patients. Along with them, employees engaged in various emergency services also fulfilled their duties with dedication.
Taking cognizance of this, the then Maharashtra State Government lead by CM Uddhav Thackeray introduced a COVID Incentive Allowance of ₹300 per day for all frontline workers in health and emergency services. The allowance was meant for employees of Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, Nagar Panchayats, Zilla Parishads, Other Government Departments, The State Transport Corporation(MSRTC), the Police Force, and other establishments who were on duty during the pandemic.
Allowance Released Across the State — Except in Panvel
As the first wave receded, nearly seven months’ worth of the allowance was disbursed—either in phases or as a lump sum—across most government establishments in Maharashtra. However, the Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) stands out as the only municipal corporation in the state where neither healthcare workers nor employees from other departments have received the COVID incentive allowance to date.
Large COVID Centres Were Set Up in Panvel
During the pandemic, PMC established several major COVID Care Centres, including Indiabulls (Kon), Kalamboli (CCI) – 650 beds, Kalamboli (DCH), Panvel Sub-District Hospital and MGM Kamothe.
Due to the surge in patients, a shortage of manpower became evident from the very beginning. Consequently, the municipal administration recruited doctors, nurses, ward boys/girls, ambulance drivers, testing staff, sanitation workers, and others on a contractual basis.
Despite the life-threatening conditions during the first and second waves, these workers continued to serve the community with unwavering commitment. Along with them, sanitation workers and officers from various PMC departments also discharged their duties diligently.
Seven Months’ Allowance Worth ₹50,000 to ₹60,000 — But Missing
As per government norms, healthcare workers as well as employees from all departments of PMC were eligible to receive ₹50,000 to ₹60,000 each for seven months of COVID duty. The total payable amount runs into several crores of rupees.
Employees allege that, The allowance may have been deposited into contractors’ accounts but never forwarded to workers or PMC itself may have diverted the allocated funds elsewhere.
Several employees at the municipal headquarters, speaking on condition of anonymity, privately confirmed that they have not received the allowance either.
80% Contractual Health Workers Removed Without Covid Allowance/Bhatta
By the end of 2021, as the second wave subsided, PMC closed all its COVID centres and terminated nearly 80% of its contractual health workers. Instead of absorbing these workers into permanent service—despite their exceptional contribution during the pandemic—they were relieved of duty without even receiving their rightful COVID allowance.
Possible Scam Running Into Crores?
The key question remains: Where did the multi-crore COVID allowance amount go? What exactly transpired behind the scenes needs to be clarified by Panvel Municipal Commissioner Mangesh Chitale. Social worker Atul Shilwant has reportedly been following up on the matter with the administration. Further details are expected once contact is established with him, as he is currently in Nagpur.
