Mumbai: Maharashtra Transport Minister and MSRTC (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation) chairman Pratap Sarnaik on Wednesday announced a Diwali bonus of Rs 10,000 each for 83,000 employees, a festival advance of Rs 12,500 for eligible staff and an increase in dearness allowance from 58 to 60 per cent.
The decisions will place an additional financial burden of approximately Rs 160 crore on the cash-strapped state transport undertaking. However, employees working on a contractual basis with MSRTC will not be eligible for the Diwali bonus. The corporation has around 2,000 contractual employees.
The transport minister held a meeting with representatives of various MSRTC employee unions to discuss the Diwali bonus and other issues.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Sarnaik said the bonus had been increased to Rs 10,000 from Rs 6,000. Apart from this, an advance of Rs 12,500 would be given to employees who required it. Thus, employees could avail themselves of a total of Rs 22,500.
“The Diwali bonus of Rs 10,000 each will be given to 83,000 MSRTC employees,” he said.
He said that despite facing financial difficulties, MSRTC would not deprive its employees of the joy of Diwali.
“ST officers and employees work tirelessly around the clock to provide safe travel services to millions of passengers. Recognising their hard work, providing them with a bonus on the occasion of Diwali is not merely an act of generosity but their rightful entitlement. Although this decision will place a financial burden of approximately Rs 160 crore on the Corporation, ensuring that employees celebrate Diwali joyfully is our foremost responsibility,” Sarnaik said.
He also appealed to employees not to resort to agitations or strikes, stressing that MSRTC is a lifeline for ordinary commuters and any disruption would inconvenience passengers.
The minister said the government and the corporation were committed to resolving employees’ grievances through dialogue while improving passenger services and strengthening MSRTC’s financial position.
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