BEST Begins Disbursing Delayed Covid Allowance to Over 9,000 Retired Staff
After a five-year delay, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) has commenced disbursing Rs 29.22 crore in pending Covid-19 allowances to 9,077 retired employees in Mumbai. The allowance, originally introduced in 2020 at Rs 300 per day for staff working during lockdowns, was discontinued after December 2020, leaving significant dues unpaid due to the undertaking's financial constraints. While this recent payout addresses a major backlog, union representatives note that approximately 1,000 workers have yet to receive their allowances, and gratuity payments remain pending for many. This disbursement follows an earlier tranche of Rs 52 crore released in August 2025 with support from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). BEST officials stated that the current process is being carried out in phases, with 817 cases still pending verification. Although Rs 105.32 crore has already been paid to serving employees, no specific timeline has been provided for clearing all remaining dues, affecting a portion of the workforce totaling around 33,700 employees.
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BEST Begins Disbursing Delayed Covid Allowance to Over 9,000 Retired Staff
After a five-year delay, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) has commenced disbursing Rs 29.22 crore in pending Covid-19 allowances to 9,077 retired employees in Mumbai. The allowance, originally introduced in 2020 at Rs 300 per day for staff working during lockdowns, was discontinued after December 2020, leaving significant dues unpaid due to the undertaking's financial constraints. While this recent payout addresses a major backlog, union representatives note that approximately 1,000 workers have yet to receive their allowances, and gratuity payments remain pending for many. This disbursement follows an earlier tranche of Rs 52 crore released in August 2025 with support from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). BEST officials stated that the current process is being carried out in phases, with 817 cases still pending verification. Although Rs 105.32 crore has already been paid to serving employees, no specific timeline has been provided for clearing all remaining dues, affecting a portion of the workforce totaling around 33,700 employees.
indianexpress