Mayor’s backing helps firemen bend BMC

The city’s 500-odd firemen protested on Wednesday against the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and succeeded in getting at least some of their demands met. The civic body agreed to another round of group leader talks on Friday, following which the firemen might have their way.  

The firemen called off the protest on the same day, but not before Sharad Rao, president, municipal mazdoor union and Suryakant Mahadik, president, Mumbai fire services union, handed over a 15-point demand list to mayor Shraddha Jadhav. Some of the demands made by the firemen were for a new uniform, a 30% duty allowance that senior officials receive, and refusals to pose as lifeguards on the city’s beaches and to be a part of the malaria control programme.

Jadhav, who till a year ago was the union leader for the Mumbai fire service union, was sympathetic towards the firemen. “I remember fighting your battle and demanding lockers and uniforms. It’s been two years and still your demands have not been met. It’s not right on the part of the civic body to impose upon firemen the additional duty of a lifeguard, as you are not trained for the job. Both unions have my full support in their protest,” said Jadhav.

The mayor raised the issue at the BMC’s group leaders meeting with municipal commissioner Swadhin Kshatriya and additional municipal commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar present to hear the demands.

“One category of their demands was routine, which was about the uniforms and promotions. I have instructed my officials to resolve the issue within a definite period of time,” said Mhaiskar. “But, malaria is an area of concern for the BMC and we have identified six categories of breeding spots. The sixth category comprises of old and derelict mills where rampant breeding of mosquitoes happens. This should be treated with topmost priority. On Friday, there will be a group leader’s meeting to clear all the misunderstanding. It’s not the mandate of the BMC to use firemen to curb the mosquito menace. All that will be used is the snorkel from fire engines as unusual heights in the mills cannot be reached otherwise.”

About the issue of using the firemen as lifeguards on the city’s beaches, Mhaiskar said that it was necessary only on certain days of the year. “During a high tide and festivals, an augmented level of beach safety is required and advanced training will be given to the firemen, which has already been flagged off,” she said.