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Journalism of Courage
MUMBAI, June 11: It8217;s a classic case of supply overshooting demand. For two decades the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has been loosing crores of rupees over Deonar abattoir which is being manned by four times its required staff strength.
A total of 1417 workers were on the abattoir8217;s rolls while the slaughtering and the allied works could be handled by some 350-odd employees. Moreover, the civic administration spends nearly Rs 2.2 crore every year as over-time payment to these workers, who take home handsome salaries.
The cash-strapped BMC earmarks nearly Rs 17 crore annually toward the expense of running the abattoir every year. Returns in the form of revenue comes to a mere Rs 8.75 crore, with a massive loss of Rs 8.25 crore.
8220;Stark errors,8221; says Rajesh Sharma, Civic Markets and Garden council member, who found the sad state of affairs following a visit to the abattoir on Wednesday. quot;I was amazed. This only shows how the BMC has been functioning all along . I am giving top priority to trimmingthe excess staff here,quot; he said adding that it was essential to curtail expenses of the civic corporation.
According to the general manager of the abattoir, Dr V N Vishnupurikar, the staff strength has remained the same since 1973. quot;It is basically due to the recruitment done by the then civic administration. I have been here since that time,quot; he said, quickly adding that he had no role to play in the excess workforce.
Dr Vishnupurikar informed that the BMC appointed two committees in 1996 to look into the functioning of the abattoir and its related problems. While the reports were submitted they never came up for discussion nor any steps were taken to implement the recommendations, civic sources alleged. Sharma has plans to transfer the staff, mostly Class IV workers, to other departments including license and garden. quot;We can always fit them somewhere. It will be no problem,quot; he adds.
However, Municipal Mazdoor Sangh8217;s president Sharad Rao has not taken lightly to the proposal. quot;The Mayor-in-Councilmembers are thinking that they are kings. They are taking immature decisions without taking into consideration the logistics or consulting the workers,
he added.
Rao informed that the civic body had in practice reversed its resolution to press more machines for slaughtering animals. quot;There are more people appointed by petty contractors who are handling slaughter work in unhygienic conditions. The machines are being under-utilised. Corruption reigns as a result. Why blame the staff?quot; he said, adding he will put up a battle against the transfer of staffers.
