Mumbai: 27 MSRTC men died by suicide in past 18 months

Transport Minister Anil Parab comes under fire from union run by ally Cong, as one more driver takes his life this week due to salary delay

An MSRTC mechanic killed himself on Wednesday, taking the number of staffers who have ended their lives in the past 18 months due to financial distress to 27. The employee was posted at Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation’s Pandharpur depot. The mismanaged organisation, with one of India’s largest bus fleets, has repeatedly delayed salaries, leaving staffers saddled with loans.

The first such suicide was on March 7, 2020, and the latest one is 27th in the line. Suicide is not the solution and it destroys families. This is not a political statement but I am saying it out of concern. Transport minister Anil Parab is holding the dual charge of the ministry and the chairmanship of the transport corporation. If he is unable to give time, I suggest he should hand over the mantle to someone else who would be able to devote more time and attention,” said Srirang Barge, general secretary of Maharashtra ST Karmachari Congress.

Pandemic-triggered lockdowns have crippled MSRTC’s earnings

In an emotional post that is being widely shared, MSRTC staffer Paresh Pai said, “I appeal to my colleagues not to take the extreme step. I suggest that employees should choose and pick a small doable business and initiate it to keep the money flowing. If a business is not possible, try to save money and cut down expenses. There will be a solution to all this, but do not take the extreme step.”

While the salary got delayed this month as well, the government stepped in. “A human development fund of Rs 231.50 crore has now been diverted to the MSRTC from which salary for the month of September 2021 would be disbursed,” an official note said. The MSRTC has been facing its worst financial crisis because of the Covid-triggered lockdowns. Passenger footfall has not yet risen, resulting in losses. It is struggling to manage funds to even pay salaries on time.

Passenger footfall has not yet risen, resulting in losses

BEST’s new service runs into controversy

BEST’s point-to-point AC service, launched recently by state minister Aaditya Thackeray, has run into a controversy with activists calling it illegal and accusing the undertaking of charging exorbitant fares that have not been approved by the transport authority.

Passengers will have to pay Rs 75 for a ride from the airport to BKC, Rs 125 to Nehru Planetarium at Worli, Rs 150 to CSMT and Rs 175 for the Gateway of India. While BEST said the fares had been approved by their committee, transport department said that there was no proposal about any such fares for approval.

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