The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) strike entered its 16th day on Friday, though some employees resumed work in the transport workshops. “All the 250 depots across the state are closed, but workers from the workshops have returned to work,” an MSRTC spokesperson said.
The employees of MSRTC started an indefinite strike on October 28, demanding the merger of the cash-strapped corporation. Maharashtra Government. The strike has intensified after Diwali.
MSRTC strike has paralyzed them bus operation Their 250 depots across the state have been closed for three consecutive days. Lakhs of commuters across the state are facing difficulties as there is no solution to the problem. Meanwhile, the state-run corporation has so far suspended 2,053 employees of various depots for participating in and abetting the strike.
This week, CM Thackeray appealed to the employees of the corporation not to demand ransom from the poor people while continuing their protest. Maharashtra Transport Minister Anil Parab, who is also the chairman of MSRTC, met a delegation of Maharashtra ST Employees Joint Action Committee on November 10 and appealed to the employees to call off their strike.
The state transport minister said there are 56 state-run corporations in Maharashtra, and if the demand of MSRTC unions is accepted, other corporations will also seek merger with the government. “While merging a corporation, comprehensive thinking is required. The state government has already appointed a committee to study the merger demand, Parab informed.
MSRTC has filed a contempt petition in the Bombay High Court, stating that the unions have continued the strike despite the HC declaring it illegal. The court has sought response from the unions and the matter will be heard on November 15.
MSRTC has more than 95,000 employees in its rolls and maintains a fleet of 16,000 buses.
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