In recent developments, Mumbai’s civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to provide the families of Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) employees INR 50 lakhs in order to provide financial assistance to the families of the deceased.
This comes after BEST had requested the civic body to provide a plan for the employees of BEST. Moreover, the proposal with regards to the same has been placed on the table of the Standing Committee for post-work approval. According to sources, at least 100 employees of BEST have succumbed to the coronavirus while servicing the people of Mumbai amidst the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the civic body had earlier decided to provide financial assistance to improve the situation of BEST. In the last two years, BEST has been receiving help in form of financial assistance in order to improve its situation. Moreover, this year, the civic body has decided to provide BEST with a grant of INR 750 crores in order to conduct developmental work. In addition, the BMC has decided to give out a loan of INR 406 crores at a very low-interest rate.
However, BEST's announcement to merge the budget with the municipality's budget has not yet materialized. Two years ago, BEST was given INR 2,000 crores by breaking reserves whereas last year it was given INR 1,500 crores. However, the provision was reduced to INR 1,000 crores after the outbreak of the coronavirus increased its expenditure. Out of this, INR 918 crores has been given to BEST till January 2021.
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