MSRTC strike ends, Lal Pari' back on state roads

Mumbai: The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) withdrew its strike on Saturday morning but not before it had done its share of damage, as the state’s biggest transporter saw losses of over Rs 90 crore, according to sources. After four days of staying off the roads the ‘Lal Pari’ (red fairies) were finally seen in full strength across Maharashtra and Mumbai on Bhaubeej.

The MSRTC makes an average of Rs 20-22 crore in revenue pooling from all depots in the state and majority of the chunk of the profit comes from rural Maharashtra. Almost 11 unions had called the strike for better wages with the primary demand being that the state government implement the 7th pay commission for the benefit of its workers.

Although the strike’s withdrawal has brought some respite, officials have said it has set the already faltering MSRTC back by Rs 90 crore. An official said, “Before the 10 per cent hike in fares we would make Rs 20 to 22 crore throughout the state, but the amount had increased roughly to a little over Rs 24 crore every day.” He added, “Therefore we have lost roughly around Rs 90 crore revenue due to the strike.”

The workers demand for wage increase is not new. In the past three years, the unions have been asking to increase the pay but the MSRTC as well as transport minister Diwakar Roate had flatly refused the demand.     

Union members such as Jayprakash Chajhad said that they are finding some solace in the intervention by the high court for now. “We are not waiting for what they will present on November 15, when they are supposed to give the estimated revised wages to the honourble Bombay high court,” he said. Mr Chajhad said that many workers are unhappy with the way transport minister Diwakar Roate handled the situation in the past four days. He added, “The minister was not ready for any negotiation at all. It was only after the court intervened that someone was hearing our case with an open mind.”

Mr Roate has declared that he holds no ill feelings towards the unions and the workers.