DCM Ajit Pawar has hinted at retaliation against MSRTC workers who are on strike

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar renewed his plea for striking Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation employees to return to work on Thursday, warning that the government would soon initiate a recruitment drive to fill the vacant positions. Pawar's statement came on the same day that Transport Minister Anil Parab set a deadline for staff to return to work or face disciplinary action last week.

 

Pawar has intimated that the government is left with no choice but to take action to restore normalcy to the MSRTC's operations. Employees have been on strike since October of last year, demanding that the MSRTC be merged with the state government. However, the state administration has already ruled out the merger, stating that it is not practicable or administratively feasible, based on the report of the three-member committee.

 

On March 25, on the last day of the budget session, he said that if the staff does not report to work by March 31, they will be fired as a last resort. In the meantime, he announced that the MSRTC will receive Rs 39 crore for the rehabilitation of 300 ST vehicles. The money is being disbursed as part of the Human Development Index program, which provides transportation from the village to school for pupils up to the 12th grade in rural areas. According to Pawar, bus restoration and repairs will benefit kids in remote areas who require safe and secure transportation.

 

 

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