Maharashtra plans to pay November salary to 83,000 ST staff before Diwali, says Sarnaik

The Maharashtra government is preparing to pay salaries to about 83,000 officers and employees of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (ST) before Diwali. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has told the corporation's officials that the November salary should be released before Diwali begins.

The move is aimed at sparing employees and their families a cash crunch during the festival, and these families are expected to get relief from it.

Officers and employees of the ST corporation usually receive their salary between the 7th and 10th of every month. This time, in view of Diwali, the emphasis is on completing the salary process earlier.

To ensure that salaries reach employees' accounts before the festival, the corporation's finance and planning department has been asked to stay in constant touch with the state government. The administration has also been told to draw up a concrete plan on how the money needed for salaries will be made available.

It is important that the grant due from the government to meet the corporation's needs arrives on time. Officials have also been directed to make a special effort to recover from the government the pending reimbursement for the various concession schemes offered to passengers.

The administration is focused on getting the required funds on time so that there is no delay in paying salaries. It has been asked to improve coordination among the departments concerned and to give priority to the payment.

Sarnaik said clearly that the ST corporation's financial difficulties should not affect employees' Diwali celebrations. He asked officials to give the matter priority and to make immediate efforts to get the necessary funds from the government.

According to the minister, if salaries arrive before the festival, employees will be able to plan shopping, household needs and other preparations with their families in good time. Household expenses rise during Diwali, so receiving salary on time is important for employees.

Although instructions have been given to release salaries early, the actual date of payment and the credit of the amounts to accounts will be confirmed only after an official announcement.