Sources claim that the loss-making undertaking makes profits on days when auto and taxi unions go on strike; say the BEST made Rs 3.5 lakh in just one day after auto drivers in Kandivli went on a flash strike last week
Though bus unions private and public across Maharashtra have decided to take part in today’s daylong nation-wide protest, the BEST administration has warned its employees to stay away from the strike or face the music.
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The BEST administration has warned its employees to stay away from the strike or face the music. Representational pic
Sources in the administration claimed that the diktat was issued considering the profit BEST makes on days that auto and taxi unions go on a strike. Citing a recent example, an official claimed that the undertaking made a few lakhs when auto drivers in Kandivli (East) went on a flash strike last week.
The undertaking raked in Rs 3.5 lakh in just one day. He said the strike was called to protest against action taken against illegal share autos, after civic officials uprooted hoardings displaying fares. “We had to operate 15 additional buses during this period,” said Jagdish Patil, general manager, BEST.