The Deputy CM also declared a series of employee welfare measures, including an accident insurance cover of Rs 1 crore and free travel passes for retired employees and their spouses for an entire year instead of the existing nine-month validity
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde met representatives of various MSRTC unions at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Eknath Shinde on Tuesday announced that the employees of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will receive a revised dearness allowance of 53 per cent of their basic salary from June, a rise from the current 46 per cent.
During a meeting with the representatives from various MSRTC unions at the Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai, Shinde also declared a series of employee welfare measures, including an accident insurance cover of Rs 1 crore and free travel passes for retired employees and their spouses for an entire year instead of the existing nine-month validity.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, legislator Sadabhau Khot, former Member of Parliament (MP) Anandrao Adsul, Captain Abhijit Adsul, Transport Department Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Sethi, and MSRTC Vice-Chairman Madhav Kusekar were among those present during the meeting.
Shinde emphasised that MSRTC’s bus service, often considered a lifeline for commuters, must offer reliable and efficient service. He urged that bus stations be kept clean and well-maintained, with adequate facilities such as toilets and restrooms. The Deputy CM also encouraged the launch of cargo services through MSRTC to enhance revenue, and stressed the need for a shift in how the corporation is perceived and managed to help it move out of financial losses.
“We must transform bus stands into proper bus ports and study how ST (State Transport) can emerge from its losses. Our approach to MSRTC must evolve,” said Shinde.
During the meeting, union representatives raised various demands related to increasing MSRTC's income and saving on fuel costs.
Responding to them, Shinde confirmed the dearness allowance hike and added that the pending arrears would be addressed subject to the availability of funds.
He also detailed the medical benefits available to employees, which include cashless treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh under a combined scheme of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana and the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. Additionally, the Dharamveer Anand Dighe Medical Reimbursement Scheme is being made available as an alternative, allowing employees to choose between the two healthcare schemes.
A Memorandum of Understanding has also been signed with the State Bank of India (SBI) to provide accidental insurance cover to MSRTC employees whose salaries are credited to the bank’s accounts. Under this policy, if an employee dies in a personal accident—whether on or off duty—their family will receive Rs 1 crore. In cases of total permanent disability, the same amount will be paid, while for partial disability, up to Rs 80 lakh may be awarded.
The announcement to extend free bus passes for retired employees and their spouses from nine to 12 months is expected to benefit nearly 35,000 former employees, Shinde added.
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