After days of unrest among Maharashtra State Transport (ST) employees over partial salary payments, the government has stepped in to resolve the issue. Following direct intervention by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the remaining 44% of the March salary will be credited to employees' accounts by April 15. Tension had been escalating after reports confirmed that only 56% of the March salaries were paid to over 87,000 ST employees. Several unions expressed strong dissatisfaction, warning of statewide protests if immediate action was not taken.
“The issue was critical. Many employees were struggling to manage household expenses with just half their pay,” said an official familiar with the matter. Union leaders emphasized that this was not just a financial crisis but a growing morale issue within the workforce.Shrirang Barge, General Secretary of the Maharashtra ST Employees Congress, blamed the finance department for the shortfall. “The finance ministry is entirely responsible. If full funds are not provided within ten days, we will protest,” he warned.
The financial crunch arose as the ST Corporation requires over Rs 400 crore each month to meet salary obligations, with Rs 250 crore needed solely for net pay. While the government released Rs 272.96 crore last month, only Rs 135 crore was left for salaries after deductions for Provident Fund contributions and payments to the ST Bank.
A compensation proposal of Rs 1,075 crore has been sent to the state government, highlighting the corporation’s dire need for additional funds to sustain operations. ST employees, who operate buses across the state even under extreme weather conditions, voiced their frustration. “We already earn less than most government employees. Now, with only half our salaries credited, managing EMI payments, school fees, and groceries has become a nightmare,” said Arvind Nikam, a driver at the Mumbai Central Depot.
Deepak Jagdale, a conductor from Latur, echoed similar concerns. “We don’t even get dearness allowance under the Seventh Pay Commission. We work the hardest and get the least.”
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Sandeep Shinde, President of the Maharashtra ST Workers Union, added, “This partial payment has pushed workers to the edge. If the full salary isn’t paid immediately, we will be forced to protest.”
Following high-level discussions led by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde with finance department officials, assurances have now been given that the remaining salaries will be disbursed by April 15. The move is expected to defuse the brewing unrest, at least for now.