Palika Prashasan/Correspondent : The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s (NMMC) recent recruitment drive has sparked concerns for over 550 employees who have been serving on a “contract and lump-sum (thok mandhan)” basis for the past 10 to 15 years. Sources indicate that the influx of permanent staff threatens the job security of these long-serving contractual workers, leaving their livelihoods uncertain.

These employees, many of whom have dedicated over a decade to the corporation, now face potential displacement as the NMMC prioritizes newly recruited permanent staff. The affected workers, engaged in various municipal functions, fear that the shift could render them jobless, pushing them into financial and emotional distress.

Tensions are running high, with some alleging that the administration has not provided clarity or assurances regarding their future. “We’ve given years of service, and now we’re being sidelined without a plan. If anyone succumbs to mental stress and takes an extreme step like suicide, the Municipal Commissioner must be held fully accountable,” warned a representative of the contract employees, speaking anonymously.

The NMMC has yet to release an official statement addressing the concerns of these workers or outlining measures to safeguard their interests. The situation has raised questions about the corporation’s handling of its long-term contractual workforce amid efforts to streamline operations through fresh recruitment.

As the uncertainty looms, the affected employees are calling for immediate dialogue with the administration to secure their positions or provide alternative solutions. Further developments are awaited as the issue continues to unfold.