Corporators want compensation policy for firemen changed

More than two months after a deceased fireman’s family was denied compensation by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) stating an absence of statutory provisions, a resolution that seeks to modify the existing provisions would be placed at the civic general body meeting on Monday, Poorvi Kulkarni reports.

More than two months after a deceased fireman’s family was denied compensation by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) stating an absence of statutory provisions, a resolution that seeks to modify the existing provisions would be placed at the civic general body meeting on Monday.

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Sarjerao Shenvi died while he was training at the Wadala fire station in October last year. Shenvi is survived by his wife and two sons aged 13 and 10 years.

Shiv Sena corporator Sunil Gujjarhas demanded an amendment in the compensation policy for firefighters. The resolution states that monetary compensation should be given to families of fire officials who are on probation or on training and if their death occurs while on duty.

“It is important that the families of firefighters be adequately compensated. We are seeking for a larger amendment to the existing corporation regulation that puts forth a compensation policy for fire officials’ families in case of their death,” said Gujjar.

The resolution seeks to reopen an existing resolution that states that deceased firemen’s kin would be entitled to monetary compensation only if the death occurs during firefighting operations.

“Training that has to be undertaken at present by firemen for promotion is not considered as on duty. This affects their health as they have to have to report to duty after their training hours. This takes the firemen’s working hours to 12 hours each day,” said Hariyan.