VASCO
The Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) on Monday approved a hike in medical allowance, while also extending benefits to temporary staff.
The council also plans to be the first municipality in the State to have its own wet waste processing facility.
The MMC held a council meeting during which several key decisions relating to staff welfare and civic facilities were taken.
Later briefing the media, MMC Chairperson Girish Borker said the medical allowance for fixed staff, which had been pending since 2022, has finally been revised. The council approved an increase of Rs 2,000, taking the allowance from Rs 7,000 to Rs 9,000. Borker said the decision would provide long-overdue relief to municipal employees.
He added that MMC has been the first municipal council in Goa to grant special status to temporary workers. As part of this initiative, it has been decided to provide temporary staff with a medical allowance of Rs 3,000. In addition, they will be covered under an insurance scheme of Rs 10 lakh.
“Temporary workers, especially garbage collectors, are our backbone. We are trying our best to support them in every possible way,” Borker said.
The council also discussed plans to set up a wet waste treatment plant at Sada.
Borker said MMC would be the first municipality in the State to have its own wet waste processing facility and that the proposal has been finalised, with work expected to begin soon.
Another important decision taken during the meeting was the appointment of maintenance contractors for the newly inaugurated Vasco fish market.
Borker said the floors at the market can become slippery and require regular cleaning to ensure safety and hygiene. Maintenance contractors will also be appointed for the Sada market complex.
Borker further said councillors have been asked to inform residents about the two wellness centres recently inaugurated at Vasco and Sada by Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane.
He said these centres can be used for minor health issues, reducing the rush at the Sub-District Hospital in Chicalim.
