Chennai Corporation staff still wait for Pongal bonus

Chennai: Cash-starved Chennai corporation hit by Cyclone Vardah is now delaying payments. The financial crunch has attained its peak with the corporation delaying Pongal bonus for its employees admit corporation insiders. Agitated over the delay in issuance of festival bonus, the staffers are now up in arms with petitions to their zonal officers seeking immediate action.

When contacted,  a senior corporation official denied that the payment was due to cash crunch. The bonus amount given to our employees is a not big burden on the corporation exchequer, but there were issues with the banks in getting the deposits cleared due to consecutive holidays. Around 15,000 workers have been provided the bonus on time and for those who are yet to receive bonus, arrangements are underway for real time gross settlement (RTGS) money transfer, the official added.

“At least 5,000 employees in the ranks of revenue inspectors, sanitary officers, conservancy inspectors and revenue collectors are yet to get their bonus till Wednesday evening”, said Balasundaram of Chennai Corporation Anaithu Uzhiyar Sangham. What is the point of receiving the Pongal bonus after festival? This is the first time that we are facing such a situation and bonus amount per employee ranges from Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000.

Class IV category employees like sanitary workers receive the maximum bonus and it is minimal for the top officials, he explained. Corporation sources also hinted that payments to the corporation contractors had been delayed due to bank holidays and cash crunch. Sources with the revenue department confirmed that the civic body was facing a cash crunch.

Though demonetisation period saw an increase in property tax collection through banned Rs 1,000 and 500 notes, the other revenue sources of the corporation like professional tax, company tax and trade licenses have been affected due to demonetisation.