'BMC gave nod for BEST-BMC merger in 2017, seems to have forgotten'

BEST buses parked in Jogeshwari East. Trade unions and leaders say merger would resolve the financial issues of the undertaking. File pic

More merger calls! After MSRTC staff went on strike demanding merger with the state, BEST trade unions raised the demand for merger of BEST with the BMC. "The BEST is an integral part of the BMC. During earlier protests, the Shiv Sena had promised to fast-track the merger of BEST with the BMC. We want Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to keep that promise," said SS Nalawade, general secretary of BEST Jagrut Kamgar Sanghatana.

Nalawade said, "We all know that BEST is running into losses. Prior to 2003, the losses of the transport wing were compensated by the power wing. After 2003, BEST's dominance of electricity in the city ended with the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC), and BEST continued to garner losses. This could be reversed only by merger of BEST with the BMC." He pointed out that even the taxation authorities identify it as one unit as the BEST and BMC have a common PAN Card. "During earlier discussions, the Sena had assured that these will be merged. We just want them to keep the promise and assure us in writing," he stated in a letter to the chief minister's office.

BEST buses at Worli bus depot. The undertaking has been facing severe financial issues since 2003, when its electricity wing lost its dominance in the city. File pic

"In 2017, a proposal to merge the BEST and BMC has already been sanctioned by the BMC standing committee. But despite approvals, there has been no progress on the issue for four years. Hence the issue is now again being raised," former BEST chairman and BJP leader Pravin Chheda said. "Merger of the BEST budget with the BMC budget will be a solution to the financial problems. We will submit a memorandum to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. In fact, the Shiv Sena itself had promised this in their manifesto, but now it seems they have forgotten it after coming to power," said Shashank Sharad Rao, convener of BEST Workers Joint Action Committee.

Shiv Sena committee members refrained from commenting on the issue and said the matter was being politicised. Earlier in February, there were protests over this issue. After being denied permission to hold morcha from Byculla to Mantralaya, BEST employees had protested at Azad Maidan.

Feb
Month when BEST staffers held protests on this issue