Join work to revoke suspension or face stricter action: Anil Parab to MSRTC workers

MSRTC workers continue strike at Azad Maidan on Friday. Pic/Suresh Karkera

Suspended for striking, MSRTC employees have been given time till Monday to resume duty and get the disciplinary action revoked. Others, who are agitating for over a month but not suspended yet, have also been urged to go to work to avoid further action.

Transport Minister Anil Parab said the MSRTC's divisional controllers across the state have told him about the willingness of suspended employees to join work at their respective depots. "The employees who have been suspended and others have told the controllers that they are being forced to stay home or take part in the agitation. The government wants the workers to be given a second chance so that they don't suffer for a long time because of ill advisors, and take extreme steps like committing suicide. We appeal to them to join the office by Monday, and report the people who stop them from going to work," said Parab on Friday. He added that so far around 20,000 state transport workers have resumed duty.

The minister said most of the workers have understood that the demand for MSRTC's merger with the government would be decided only by the court. "Neither me nor the leaders of the agitation have powers to decide it. The workers should understand that the leaders will not compensate for the financial and other losses the strike has caused to the workforce and the corporation," he said.

Parab reiterated that public transport is an essential service and a relevant act (MESMA) can be applied to the MSRTC as well. "However, the government doesn't want to be harsh with the workers who have been misled by the people, some of whom have quit the agitation while some are still making false promises to the workers. We have been hearing the news about the differences that have cropped between the leaders and striking workers."

He said the high court-appointed committee was expected to submit its report on December 20, but the final decision will be made only after the final report is filed before the high court after 12 weeks, around January 20.

20,000
No. of MSRTC workers who have reported to duty (approx)