Before the assembly elections in Gujarat, the demand for employees has increased, due to which the problems of the state government may increase. Meanwhile, it is reported that the unions of employees of Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) held a late night meeting with Transport Minister Purnesh Modi in Gandhinagar on Tuesday. In this meeting, after the Gujarat government accepted most of their demands regarding salary and allowances, the decision to go on mass leave was withdrawn.
Meeting with leaders of three major unions
According to the information, Modi held a meeting with the leaders of three major unions of GSTRC employees in the presence of Milind Torwane. A GSRTC official told the English website Indian Express in this regard that the marathon meeting has been successful. Most of the demands of the unions have been accepted by the minister. In the larger interest of GSRTC employees, their speedy implementation has been ordered.
This decision of the government will benefit about 37,000 GSTRC employees of class III and IV. This includes about 30,000 drivers and conductors. This is the first time since 1997 that a decision has been taken to revise the allowances of employees of a public transport service provider.
Benefit to about 30,000 drivers and conductors
If we look at the major demands accepted by the government, it includes increasing the grade pay of drivers from Rs 1,800 to Rs 1,900 and the grade pay of conductors from Rs 1,650 to Rs 1,800 from October, 2021. About 30,000 drivers and conductors will get this benefit. In a release from GSRTC, it has been said that Rs 15 crore is pending for their higher grade pay till October 1, which will be given.
Agreed to increase DA by 11 percent
The government has agreed to increase the Dearness Allowance (DA) by 11 percent with effect from July 2021. The government has also agreed to increase the additional 3 percent from February 2023. Drivers and conductors serving on probation for five years and drawing a fixed salary will be given a monthly salary of Rs 18,500 instead of Rs 16,000. The government had to take this decision after the employees had warned to go on leave collectively regarding their demands. Let us discuss here that GSRTC has a fleet of 8,000 buses and on an average 25 lakh passengers take its services daily.
