Pune Municipal Corporation and Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd. employees may have to wait longer for their Diwali bonus as the Model Code of Conduct for the Legislative Council election remains in force until October 31, according to a report by Sakal – Pune. The administration is expected to seek guidance and permission before finalising the payment.
The civic administration has not yet issued the circular announcing this year’s ex-gratia payment. Employees are waiting for clarity on both the amount and the date on which the money will be credited. Diwali festivities are scheduled to begin on November 5, making the timing of the decision important for household spending and financial planning.
Last year, Pune Municipal Corporation employees received an ex-gratia payment calculated at 8.33% of basic pay and dearness allowance, along with Rs 25,000. The amount for this year has not been announced. The report did not indicate whether the previous formula would be retained.
The civic administration is expected to prepare a proposal and route it through the district collector and divisional commissioner to determine whether approval can be granted under the election code. The procedure will depend on whether the payment is treated as a regular administrative decision permitted during the code period or requires specific clearance from the Election Commission.
Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram is expected to discuss the issue after returning from Germany. A further discussion with him is scheduled for Monday, October 12, after which the administration is expected to decide the next course of action.
The proposed payment would cover approximately 18,000 Pune Municipal Corporation employees. According to the report, the bonus and ex-gratia payment would place an estimated burden of Rs 150 crore to Rs 175 crore on the municipal treasury. The figure indicates that the decision is not only an employee-benefit matter but also a significant recurring expenditure for the civic body.
PMPML employees are also covered by a separate proposed allocation of around Rs 20 crore. The amount is generally approved through a standing committee resolution. However, the election code has prevented the decision from being taken at a standing committee meeting, leaving the transport undertaking’s payment subject to the same administrative uncertainty.
Ulka Kalskar, the municipal accounts and finance officer, said guidance would be required because the election code was in force. She said the issue would be discussed with the municipal commissioner and that an allocation of approximately Rs 150 crore to Rs 175 crore was available for the municipal corporation’s bonus payment.
The immediate milestones are the October 12 discussion with the municipal commissioner, preparation of the proposal and any subsequent approval or guidance issued through the election administration. Until those steps are completed, the payment amount and credit date for Pune Municipal Corporation and PMPML employees remain undecided.
