As Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) employees’ strike continues for the 17th day, state Transport Minister Anil Parab on Saturday announced that the government will take a positive decision after studying their demand for equal pay to government employees.
Saturday led by workers BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar and Rayat Kranti Sangathan founder and MLA Sadabhou Khot met Parab and Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte and other officials at the Sahyadri Guest House to discuss the ongoing strike since October 27. Employees are demanding merger of MSRTC with the state. Government.
Officials said that Parab told the delegation that according to the demands of the trade unions, 28 percent dearness allowance and housing allowance have also been given to MSRTC employees like government employees.
Parab told the delegation, “Keeping in mind the sentiments of the ST workers, the government will take a positive decision after studying the demand for paying them as government employees.”
Following the Bombay High Court’s order regarding the merger of the corporation with the government, the state government has set up a committee, which the protesters claim will get better pay and benefits at par with government employees.
The committee is to submit its report to the government within 12 weeks. “If the committee recommends the merger, we will accept it,” the transport minister said.
Officials indicated that wage hike and additional facilities for MSRTC employees could be considered, but merger of the corporation is difficult as it may trigger similar demands from other corporations. Additional facilities may be considered for MSRTC employees at par with government employees, an official said.
Hundreds of MSRTC employees across the state have gathered at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai since Wednesday to protest and press for their demands.
Despite the strike continuing on Saturday, the corporation was successful in running 71 buses, but most of these buses were run by private operators. About 1,938 passengers traveled in these 71 buses on Saturday.
Of the 92,266 employees, only 3,166 reported to work on Saturday, an official said. Most of the 3,166 employees were from the administration while only 143 were conductors and drivers.
Meanwhile Parab also met Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar will discuss the MSRTC strike on Saturday. MNS chief Raj Thackeray also met Pawar on Friday to discuss the issue.
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