INDIA: Community Home to House Retired Kolkata City Employees

KOLKATA (Financial Express), May 28, 2007: For the more than 1,050 Kolkata Municipal Corporation employees retiring every year, life might just start afresh post-retirement. It might be a reunion of sorts for old colleagues, apart from being a shelter for orphaned children. A section of the workers at the Kolkata Municipal Corporation has planned to set up a ‘community home’ that will not only house retired workers of the civic body but also provide destitute children with a roof above their heads. Daibaddha, a non-political organisation of the municipal officials comprising more than 100 members, is now in the process of shortlisting the location for the construction of the municipal community home. “We thought that a place where retired employees can live in peace, if possible with families, was needed. Several people are willing to donate their lands for the construction of the building. Plots have been offered at Metiabruz, Bhadreshwar and Ghatshila. If requirement arises, we might request the corporation or the state government for land,” said Prabir Bhattacharya, secretary of the association. Statistics available with the municipal body suggest that more than 1,000 employees retire at different levels, annually. The city is served by around 35,000 people working for the KMC at different levels. “The employees are provided with a pension but that does not always assure them a decent place to stay,” said Bhattacharya. Around 55 employees recently pledged to donate their bodies after death. By Mohammed Safi Shamsi © 2007: Indian Express Newspapers (Mumbai) Ltd