Overview

• Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik told unions the workers’ demands are justified and said a decision will follow consultations with the chief minister and deputy chief ministers.
• The pending DA, HRA, arrears and Diwali advance dues date to 2018 and total about Rs 4,400 crore, according to the minister.
• Projected self-reliance measures include about Rs 100 crore a year each from ads and a modern parcel service, Rs 200–250 crore from public fuel stations, Rs 500–600 crore via an MSRTC app and services, and Rs 1,000–1,500 crore from PPP property development.
• MSRTC plans to add 8,000 buses by the end of next year, with temporary hires proposed until formal recruitment approvals are cleared.
• The aggregator policy is slated within two days with a single regulatory framework, reasonable fare norms and a requirement that drivers receive at least 80% of earnings.