19 Percent Wage Increase for Contract Workers in Mahanirmiti, Mahapareshan, and Mahadistribution – DCM Fadnavis

Mumbai : Energy Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a 19 percent increase in the basic wages of contract workers employed by Maha Distribution, Maha Pareshan, and Maha Nirmidhi across the state. This wage increase is effective from March 2024.

The announcement was made during a meeting at Sahyadri Guest House, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, addressing various issues faced by contract workers in these three energy-related companies. The meeting was attended by Forests, Cultural Affairs, and Fisheries Minister and Guardian Minister of Chandrapur District, Sudhir Mungantiwar; Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde (via e-presence); MLAs Chandrasekhar Bawankule, Kishore Jorgewar; Former MLA Ashish Deshmukh; Principal Secretary to the Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Srikar Pardeshi; Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department Abha Shukla; Principal Secretary of the Labor Department Vinita Ved Singal; and the Managing Directors of Mahavitaran, Mahapareshan, and Mahanirmiti, as well as senior Energy Department officials and representatives from various contract labor unions.

Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis highlighted that with the new wage increase, contract workers in the state’s power sector will now earn more than their counterparts in other states. He also announced that health insurance coverage up to ₹5 lakhs will be provided for all contract workers in the Energy Department’s companies, as their salary exceeds this threshold. Fadnavis and Guardian Minister Mungantiwar extended their congratulations on this development.

Regarding recent protests at Khaparkheda Power Station, Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis stated that while the right to protest is upheld in a democracy, actions such as fighting and shutting down power stations are unacceptable. He indicated that the government will deliberate on decisions related to contract workers who have faced criminal charges in connection with the protests.