BPP’s benevolence

The staff of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) is set to receive a substantial hike in emoluments, as detailed in the "Chairman’s Message” in The BPP Review of November 2012. "After prolonged negotiations, the new settlement for a three-year period from January 1, 2012 up to December 31, 2014 has finally been signed” between the apex trust and the Mumbai Mazdoor Sabha which represents 223 Class IV employees of the BPP, including permanent employees like khandhias and nassessalars. They will receive an average increase of Rs 3,850 in monthly salary depending on the years of service, increasing the BPP’s annual wage bill by Rs 1.53 crores to "a mammoth Rs 8.31 crores per year,” as staff across the board will also receive enhanced emoluments.
The khandhias and Parsi staff at Doongerwadi will receive a monthly raise of Rs 4,050, including salaries and benefits, bringing their salaries to around Rs 25,000 per month, writes chairman Dinshaw Mehta. Khandhias will also be entitled to a higher sachkar allowance, dakhma cleaning charges and khand allowance. Six pairs of white uniforms, an equal number of white tennis shoes and one raincoat will also be provided every year.
All workmen, including non-unionized administrative staff, custodians and managers of various colonies and baugs too will benefit from wage increases. Benefits like educational assistance, mediclaim and accident insurance, annual leave, higher bonus, funeral expenses for their kith and kin, interest free loans, uniforms, marriage and retirement gifts, long service awards and gratuity will be enhanced, the Message mentions while providing details. Despite this, the BPP has not increased rents and cost of general utilities in the colonies, showing that they are "benevolent landlords” as well, states Mehta. The BPP derives its income mainly from sale/transfer of flats.