Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 16: In a festive gesture this Diwali, the Maharashtra government has announced gratuity grants for employees of the state’s municipal corporations, including BEST staff. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde today unveiled the decision, marking a special reward for civic workers across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

For the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), officers and employees will receive Rs 31,000 each as Diwali gratuity. Thane Municipal Corporation staff in the MMR region will be granted Rs 24,500, benefiting a total of 9,221 employees. Last year, Thane civic employees received Rs 24,000, which has now been increased for 2025. The breakdown of beneficiaries includes 6,059 municipal staff, 774 education department employees, 1,400 permanent transport employees, direct contractual municipal staff, and 988 other workers.

Employees of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) will receive Rs 34,500 as Diwali gratuity. This includes officers and staff of NMMC establishments, as well as primary and secondary teachers. Officers and employees on fixed pay, temporary contractual employees on minimum wage, daily wage health workers, honorarium-based anganwadi teachers and assistants, will receive Rs 28,500. Similarly, contractual staff appointed under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and National Health Mission will receive Rs 28,500, while ASHA workers in the health department will get Rs 18,500.

Additionally, for 2025, officers and employees working under COVID and non-COVID health services, part-time directors in education (arts, sports, and work experience), and primary and secondary school teachers will also receive Rs 18,500 as a gratuity grant.

Deputy CM Shinde has directed the municipal commissioners of all three corporations to implement the decision immediately and ensure timely payment of the gratuity. He also extended warm Diwali greetings to all municipal employees.