Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has approved a grant of ₹84 crore to Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) to cover the first installment of the arrears owed to employees as part of the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations.

This decision was finalized during the standing committee meeting, providing much-needed relief to PMPML employees ahead of the festive season.

The total arrears owed to PMPML employees for the period between 2017 and 2022, due to the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission, amounts to ₹561 crore.

As per the agreement, PMC will bear 60% of this amount, with the remaining sum to be shared between Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA).

A crucial meeting took place in August, chaired by Guardian Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, where the PMPML Board of Directors and representatives from labor unions agreed to disburse the ₹561 crore in four phases. The first phase requires an outlay of ₹140 crore, out of which PMC’s share is ₹84 crore.

Additionally, PMPML has reported a significant financial deficit of ₹734 crore for the fiscal year 2023-24. PMC is responsible for covering 60% of this deficit, which amounts to around ₹440 crore.

The municipal corporation has been providing financial assistance in installments, but this approval of ₹84 crore marks a critical step in addressing the pending salary arrears.

If the approved amount is distributed to employees before Diwali, it will significantly boost morale and ensure a festive celebration for the workforce, which has been eagerly awaiting this financial relief.