MSRTC announces ₹10,000 Diwali bonus and hikes dearness allowance
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced the bonus and a dearness allowance increase for 83,000 employees of the state-run undertaking.
Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) employees will receive a Diwali bonus of ₹10,000 each and a dearness allowance (DA) increase from 58 per cent to 60 per cent, according to the Hindustan Times.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced the decision on Thursday during a meeting with various employee unions at the Transport Commissioner's office in Bandra. The move will benefit approximately 83,000 employees of the state-run undertaking.
Sarnaik stated that eligible employees will also receive a festival advance of ₹12,500. He noted that the bonus and DA decisions would place an additional burden of around ₹160 crore on the corporation.
The minister said that despite the corporation facing financial difficulties, the government is committed to ensuring employees celebrate Diwali. He said that providing a bonus is a right for officers and employees who work round the clock to provide safe travel.
Sarnaik appealed to employees to avoid protests or strikes, stating that any agitation could inconvenience passengers. He added that the government and the corporation aim to resolve employee issues through dialogue while strengthening the MSRTC's financial position.