Lalpari revenue allegedly used to pay private bus hire charges, MSRTC staff voice concern

Mumbai: Serious allegations are being made about the earnings of the Lalpari buses of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). It is alleged that the per-kilometre hire charges of the privately hired Shivai e-buses and AC buses are being paid from this revenue. MSRTC employees are worried that this financial policy is adding to the burden on the corporation's finances.

The Lalpari is regarded as the lifeline of ordinary people. Serving lakhs of passengers every day in both villages and cities, the bus is an important source of income for the corporation. If revenue from its own buses goes towards paying hire charges for buses of private contractors, questions about the corporation's financial planning are natural.

Employees complain that the corporation is not getting enough money for repairs to its own buses, purchase of tyres, new spare parts and regular maintenance. This is said to be why the condition of the buses is deteriorating, technical faults are occurring and trips often have to be cancelled.

Privately hired buses, on the other hand, must be paid a fixed charge per kilometre. So if these vehicles do not get the expected number of passengers, or run empty, the corporation can still face a financial burden.

Employees expect that the corporation's financial planning will not affect MSRTC employees' salaries, dearness allowance, pay arrears and other statutory dues. They also say that, to give passengers safe and regular service, the upkeep of the corporation's own buses must come first.

The employees' main demands are these: revenue from the Lalpari should first be spent on maintaining the corporation's own buses. A separate fund should be provided to buy new Lalpari buses. There should be a transparent financial review of the per-kilometre rates and agreements for privately hired buses. Details of how the corporation's income is used and of the amounts paid to private contractors should be made public. And MSRTC employees' salaries, dearness allowance and pending dues should be paid on time.

It is said that the Lalpari is not just a bus but the lifeline of the common people of Maharashtra. Demands are being made that the administration reconsider this policy to protect its existence, the corporation's financial interests and employees' future. Failing that, MSRTC employees and passenger organisations may turn to a statewide agitation on the issue.