Union: Raote should apologise for comments

Mumbai: The Maharashtra ST Kamgar Sanghatana demanded on Thursday that transport minister Diwakar Raote should withdraw a controversial statement pertaining to the payment of employees of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) and apologise within eight days.

Mr Raote on Wednesday said in Aurangabad, “Me ST kamagarna evada pagar vadhavala ki te vede jhale. “(I have given an appraisal to the ST kamgars. They have become mad.)  The general secretary of the Sanghatana, Hanumantrao Tate, said Mr Raote should withdraw his statement and apologise. If he fails to do so, we will stage a protest in the coming days.

The Sanghatana has condemned the minister’s statement. A statement that was issued by the union said the statement is insulting to ST employees, who have been serving the people of the state day in and day out and their family members.

It had said that propaganda was being spread about a salary hike from 32 per cent to 48 per cent worth Rs 4,849 crore. However, in reality, the salary was hiked to 22 per cent from 17 per cent. The minimum hike in salary was Rs 1,700, which was termed a historic hike.        

The Sanghatana had demanded that Mr Raote should come forward and tender a public apology.  

Meanwhile, Mr Raote told The Asian Age, “My intention is not to hurt anyone at all. They interpreted in the wrong way. It is in love and affection that I have made my statement. Nothing more needs to be read into it.”