Kolkata mayor is first with pension pitch

‘‘With each term that brings a councillor back to the Corporation, there’s an increment of Rs 100, the highest slab being Rs 1,500 per month,’’ a source said.

With 141 ward representatives to cover, the scheme is likely to spin off a financial worry. ‘‘There’s likely to be a provision in the scheme that will entitle the councillor’s nominee (read wife) to receive half the amount in case the councillor dies,’’ a source added.

‘‘Details are being worked out,’’ Mukherjee said. ‘‘This is the first time that a municipal body is introducing a pension scheme.’’ Questioned on the annual expenditure it would incur, all the Mayor had to say was that the particulars are still being worked out.

Sources reveal that the scheme will cover all councillors who’ve been elected to the KMC since 1985. ‘‘Completion of even one year in service, in case the Board doesn’t complete its term will make the councillors eligible to obtain the benefits,’’ a source said.

The proposal has found acceptance among the board members. In a pre-Budget meet, the proposal was discussed among the members of the mayor-in-council too.

‘‘Councillors get a travel allowance of Rs 3,200 and telephone reimbursement of Rs 1,000 per month. Members mayor-in-council get Rs 3,700 and a total reimbursement of the phone bill. The pension will be helpful to councillors once they divert from active politics,’’ said a member, mayor-in-council.