Maharashtra Cabinet approves slew of benefits to forest employees similar to police personnel

The Maharashtra Cabinet, at its meeting on Tuesday chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, decided to offer the same benefits to forest officers, who risk their lives to protect forests and wildlife, as those given to police personnel who lose their lives or get injured on duty.

Forests Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said forests and wildlife are as important as civil property and the wealth of the state. “The state government provides various benefits to police personnel who risk their lives while protecting civil property and humans,” the minister said. “There was a demand from forest employees for the same benefits for risking their lives while protecting forests. The demand was pending for a few years.

“Forest employees face many crises. Their lives are at risk while extinguishing fires, preventing poaching and other forms of thefts, rescuing injured animals or those trespassing into human habitation. They also often face natural calamities putting their lives at risk.”

According to the department’s proposal, if a forest officer dies on duty while protecting forests or wild animals, a grant of Rs25 lakh will be given to his/her heirs and one member of the immediate family will get preferential employment on compassionate grounds.

If the heir is unable or unwilling to take up the job, the deceased officer’s salary up to the date of scheduled retirement will continue to be paid to his/her family.

The government will also bear the expenses for transportation of bodies of forest personnel who die on duty, by air, road or rail to the suggested destination.

If a forest officer is permanently disabled while performing his/her duties, he/she will get between Rs3 lakh and Rs3.60 lakh as a goodwill grant. The government will also bear the entire cost of treatment of the employee.