Chandigarh, March 29 -- The Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) has opted not to extend the contracts of 90 outsourced employees in the fire and rescue services department beyond March 31, a significant cost-cutting measure amid a mounting financial deficit.

Municipal commissioner Amit Kumar, citing the MC's nearly Rs.200 crore deficit for the outgoing fiscal year, has decided against renewing the contracts, despite multiple extensions in previous years.

While MC officials maintain that fire services will remain unaffected, the decision to streamline staff during a financial downturn is expected to strain the city's firefighting and rescue operations.

Currently, the MC's fire department comprises 473 regular employees, including 291 ...