A DAY after a conservancy worker from BMC died by suicide allegedly due to non-payment of salary for about two years, the civic body on Friday suspended three officials from the its solid waste management (SWM) department. Ramesh Parmar (27), posted in P South ward (Goregaon), had attempted suicide on Tuesday and died at KEM hospital on Thursday. Preliminary inquiry by BMC has revealed that there was negligence on part of officials, following which, administrative officer Anita Naik, head clerk Sameera Manjrekar and clerk Pankaj Khillare from P South ward of the SWM department were suspended. "We have suspended three officials for negligence. For the loss of life, as immediate assistance, we have given Rs 1 lakh to Parmar's brother. As per the preferential treatment rule, the brother will be given compensatory employment. We will also expedite Rajesh's pending dues, which will be paid to his brother. A detailed departmental inquiry has begun," said Dr Sangeeta Hasnale, Deputy Municipal Commissioner, SWM department. Parmar had joined BMC in 2019 after his father, also a conservancy worker, died on duty. "Inspection of records has shown that Parmar was not paid salary due to delay in paperwork on part of the concerned clerk and head clerk," an official said. Ramesh's uncle Pitambar Parmar said he was frustrated and took the extreme step as he did not receive any response from BMC officials. "On Tuesday, Ramesh consumed something poisonous in the office and called us. We admitted him to Jogeshwari Trauma Center. he was transferred to KEM hospital after his condition worsened. He died on Thursday. The BMC is responsible for his death. He was under pressure, as he was not paid for the last two years," he added. BJP corporator Vinod Mishra has demanded that an FIR be registered against the BMC officials. "Parmar was not getting salary for the last two years. Imagine his trauma. Despite several follow-ups with the department, his requests were stuck in paperwork," said Mishra. "The victim's brother should be given Rs 50 lakh as compensation," he added. Several conservancy workers staged a protest outside P South ward office on Friday.
