Mumbai’s BEST staff’ union protests over BMC’s neglect, requires revival steps | Mumbai Information

Their key calls for embody halting the privatisation of BEST companies, ending the moist lease system for buses, procuring self-owned buses, recruiting new workers, and clearing pending gratuity and Covid-19 allowances for workers.

The union argued that these steps are vital to revive BEST buses from monetary loss, shrinking fleet, and rising accidents. The protest follows BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani’s reported assertion that BEST doesn’t come beneath the civic physique’s accountability.

Nevertheless, Suhas Samant, president of BEST Kamgar Sena, hit again saying that BMC is BEST’s dad or mum physique and therefore liable for its situation. “The Commissioner speaks of cooperation, however accountability means guardianship, not mere help,” Samant stated on Thursday.

After the BEST bus accident on December 9 that killed eight folks, Kamgar Sena representatives had demanded Gagrani for a extra proactive strategy and urged BMC to take full management of BEST operations as a substitute of providing simply monetary support.

“It is a struggle for the survival of BEST. The present strategy is unsustainable, and systemic reforms are urgently wanted,” added Samant.

Then again, the BMC has refuted allegations of neglecting BEST, stating it has offered Rs 11,232 crore monetary support over the past decade, together with Rs 850 crore this 12 months. It emphasised its continued help with plans for substantial provisions within the upcoming finances. The civic physique additionally highlighted its latest grant of Rs 493 crore for electrical bus procurement.