BMC corporators demand ‘free medical treatment even as resident doctors across state are unable to receive basic TB prevention remedies!
BMC corporators in Maharashtra are in no mood to shell out a single rupee from their pockets. After demanding high end laptops and android mobile phones, AC cars and an increased honarorium from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 25,000. Their latest and most atrocious demand – free medical treatment !
The argument placed by corporators is that they face ‘tremendous physical and mental stress’ even as they go through Mumbai’s slum infested galis. This makes them prone to diseases and therefore should receive free medical services. Corporators are demanding these ‘extended’ medical facilities on the lines that such facilities are offered to MPs and legislators.
Many corporators are in agreement that such services should be provided to the corporators to better carry out their services to the public. In 2013, a proposed 150% hike in honorarium for corporators was approved on the grounds that they needed to foot increased phone and fuel bills. The BMC also passed a proposal to give cellphones to corporators in October 2013.
Corporators demands
Some of the corporators demands to allow them to ‘work better’ include – BMC offices in open spaces, free passes on AC BEST buses, free passes to travel on Bandra-Worli sea link, high end laptops and Android phones, AC cars, increase in honorarium from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 25,000 and guest house in a hill station for weekend getaways
Additionally they want – free medical services too!
In the mean time, resident doctors across Mahrashtra battle deadly strains of the TB infection in unhygenic wards, eating low nutrition breakfasts, working 100 hours a week and with barely enough time to get rest. What about the facilities and amenities for them? Free healthcare for corporators is applicable but what about providing basic facilities to – eat, rest and treated humanely for doctors?
Infographics : Daily Rounds
