As state transport body struggles to pay salaries, its union demands that city undertaking pay Rs 60 crore dues
MSRTC buses lined up at Wadala BEST depot in October last year. Pic/Ashish Raje
Even as MSRTC employees are protesting against delays in salary disbursals, its trade union leaders have aimed their ire at the BEST Undertaking over pending dues. Amid BEST’s bus scrapping spree last year, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) lent a helping hand at Rs 75 per km, on the directives of the state government. It sent over 1,000 buses along with employees to help the BEST amid the pandemic. Almost a year has gone by and the MSRTC is yet to get about Rs 60 crore.
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“The MSRTC stood beside the BEST Undertaking during the time of crisis, by providing about 1,000 buses and manpower. The MSRTC had projected a revenue of Rs 197 crore from the project, and about Rs 60 crore is yet to be settled. Our officials have been making trips to the BEST headquarters and writing letters, but the Undertaking says it cannot pay unless the state government clears the amount. This is unfair,” said Shrirang Barge, the general secretary of the Maharashtra State Transport Karmachari Congress.
An MSRTC bus at Wadala BEST depot. BEST authorities say they have no role to play in MSRTC salaries. Pic/Ashish Raje
Halla bol morcha to HQ
“MSRTC employees came to a crowded city like Mumbai amid the pandemic, and many lost their lives due to Covid-19. If BEST doesn't pay, all MSRTC employees will launch a massive halla bol morcha to the BEST headquarters," he added.
BEST chairman Ashish Chemburkar said the Undertaking had nothing to do with it. “I agree that the MSRTC employees should be given their due salaries. However, BEST has no role to play in any pending dues.
"The directives came from the Maharashtra government and the BMC, hence the payments need to come from them. BEST was never the paying authority. Employee unions have no business to come to BEST headquarters, as the buses were hired as per the directives of the state government and the BMC,” he added.
Rs 60 cr
Amount MSRTC is owed for helping BEST last year
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