MSRTC Strike Disrupts Services Amid Ganesh Festival

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) employees' strike for salary hike has entered its second day, disrupting services and affecting thousands of passengers, especially ahead of the Ganesh festival. The employees demand salary parity with state government staff. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is set to meet union leaders to resolve the issue.

The strike by Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) employees entered its second day on Wednesday, significantly disrupting services and inconveniencing thousands of passengers, particularly with the Ganesh festival approaching.

Employees are demanding salary parity with state government employees, seeking an adjustment in their pay scale to match that of their counterparts in the state sector.

With the strike spearheaded by an action committee comprising 11 trade unions, 63 out of 251 bus depots remain completely shut, 73 are partially operational, while the remaining 115 continue to function.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has scheduled a meeting with MSRTC trade union leaders at the Sahyadri Guest House on Wednesday evening to attempt a resolution.

The strike has severely impacted passengers statewide. The operations of MSRTC's special Ganesh festival buses have also been affected, with more than 1,000 buses scheduled to depart for Konkan on Wednesday alone.

An industrial court has declared the strike illegal and ordered employees to resume work. The MSRTC has instructed local authorities to file FIRs against those obstructing workers willing to return and to record such incidents on video.

In response to the strike's impact, the MSRTC is exploring the appointment of drivers and other staff on long-term contracts to maintain uninterrupted service.

(With inputs from agencies.)