Even as MSRTC employees are protesting against delays in salary disbursals, its trade union leaders have aimed their ire at the BEST Undertaking over pending dues. Amid BEST’s bus scrapping spree last year, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) lent a helping hand at Rs 75 per km, on the directives of the state government. It sent over 1,000 buses along with employees to help the BEST amid the pandemic. Almost a year has gone by and the MSRTC is yet to get about Rs 60 crore.

“The MSRTC stood beside the BEST Undertaking during the time of crisis, by providing about 1,000 buses and manpower. The MSRTC had projected a revenue of Rs 197 crore from the project, and about Rs 60 crore is yet to be settled. Our officials have been making trips to the BEST headquarters and writing letters, but the Undertaking says it cannot pay unless the state government clears the amount. This is unfair,” said Shrirang Barge, the general secretary of the Maharashtra State Transport Karmachari Congress.