Long-pending demands of seasonal spray workers, who serve remote areas to protect public health through the Health Department, are finally moving. Minister of State for Public Health and Family Welfare Meghna Sakore-Bordikar has directed the department to take the next appropriate steps after obtaining the official opinion of the finance department on pension, gratuity, arrears of the Sixth Pay Commission and implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission.
A key review meeting on the long-pending rights demands of seasonal spray workers was held under the chairmanship of Minister of State Meghna Sakore-Bordikar at Nirmal Bhavan, near Mantralaya.
Detailed discussion on pending demands The high-level meeting examined several issues close to the employees' hearts in depth:
Regularisation and financial stability: One-time regularisation of seasonal spray workers in service.
Post-retirement benefits: Pension and gratuity benefits for employees who have served for a long time.
Pay commission arrears: Immediate payment of the pay difference arising from Sixth Pay Commission arrears.
Implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission: Benefits as per the revised Seventh Pay Commission pay scales for eligible employees.
Compassionate appointment: Completing the legal and administrative process to employ the children of seasonal spray workers on compassionate grounds, during service or after retirement.
The Minister directed the administration to take a positive approach on all these issues and work with the finance department to find a solution as early as possible.
Senior officers and employee union representatives present Health Director Dr Vijay Kandewad, Deputy Secretary of the Public Health Department Dr Urmila Joshi, Under Secretary Dr Shweta Savdekar, Chief Minister's Office coordinator Chetan Bhojkar, and Balasaheb Bhujbal, state president of the Health Services Employees' Federation, along with other key office-bearers of the federation, attended in person. Health Commissioner Katkar and Mahesh Poharnekar of Spark Foundation joined the meeting through video conferencing.