NMMC clears staff absorption plan with pay relief after Naik push

The workers will be shifted to an interim pay scale on par with permanent employees and four authorities—the civic body, the municipal commissioner, the municipal secretary and the chief auditor—will implement the absorption process in phases, the resolution moved on Wednesday by leader of the house Sagar Naik said

Navi Mumbai: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) general body has approved a resolution to absorb contractual and fixed-pay employees who have been providing essential civic services for nearly two decades in lieu of a meagre honorarium. The workers will be shifted to an interim pay scale on par with permanent employees and four authorities—the civic body, the municipal commissioner, the municipal secretary and the chief auditor—will implement the absorption process in phases, the resolution moved on Wednesday by leader of the house Sagar Naik said.

Ganesh Naik (HT PHOTO)

Speaking in the house, Naik – nephew of Navi Mumbai strongman and forest minister Ganesh Naik – said the move would benefit 545 workers in the NMMC’s education, health and transport departments.

“These employees have been working on meagre honorarium for 10-18 years and sustained essential civic services. This is about giving them justice through a lawful, time-bound framework, not bypassing the system,” he said.

Ganesh Naik, whose push to absorb the contractual workers led to the NMMC resolution even as recruitment for 668 Class III and IV posts in the NMMC remains stalled, lauded the development.

“If those delivering services remain dissatisfied, the city cannot function effectively,” he told reporters. The move could entail an annual financial burden of around ₹100 crore on the civic body, he noted.

“The next phase of regularisation will be guided by court directions,” an NMMC official said, requesting anonymity.

The resolution draws on observations made by the High Court in response to the workers’ plea. Roles such as those performed by the petitioners are of a “perennial character” and those who had been in service for long should not be compelled to compete with younger candidates, the court had said. It had also indicated that such cases could be considered under a one-time scheme, though it had not directed immediate regularisation.

The resolution contemplates relaxation of certain eligibility criteria, including age and educational qualifications, to accommodate long-serving employees and introduces an interim pay structure aligned with the principle of “equal pay for equal work”.

“This is immediate financial protection. The larger goal is permanency through due process,” Sagar Naik said.

According to figures presented in the House, of the 545 employees on fixed honorarium basis, 232 meet the eligibility criteria for absorption, while 212 would require further scrutiny and the remaining cases would have to be determined during final verification.

“Verification will happen, but that cannot delay justice. Those who qualify must be absorbed in a time-bound manner,” Sagar Naik said.

Mayor Sujata Sutar said temporary workers had contributed significantly to the city’s development and deserved stability.

Municipal Commissioner Kailas Shinde maintained that the administration must act within the framework of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act.

“This is not a private institution. I am bound by a legal framework,” he said. “Appointments must comply with recruitment rules.”

When NMMC members said the corporation’s upcoming affidavit before the court should reflect the house’s position. Sagar Naik agreed, saying the civic body would present a “positive” stance.

“The affidavit will reflect the decision of the house. We are confident this will help ensure justice for employees,” he said.

Opposition leader Vijay Chougule lauded the move but said implementation would depend on the legal process.

“There is a hearing on April 7, and the outcome will depend on the affidavit and the court’s view,” Chougule said.

Shiv Sena group leader Manoj Haldankar described the temporary workers as the “backbone” of the corporation and expressed hope that the move would lead to permanency.

Despite debates regarding technicalities, the house approved the resolution, which also bars fresh recruitment or contractor hiring for posts identified for absorption and calls for time-bound implementation.

“We have taken a stand for justice. Now the system must ensure that those who have served the city for years receive the stability they deserve,” Sagar Naik said.