Ahead of polls, Delhi government promises pay hike to 22,000 DTC contract workers
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Monday reached out to 22,000 contract workers of the Delhi Transport Corporation and assured them of salary hike, suspension of regular duties, posting to depots near their homes and retraining of drivers’ skills in using e-buses as CNG. the ships are finished.
Speaking at a press conference, CM Atishi said that a proposal is being sent to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena to provide a range salary, instead of the current daily salary of Rs 843 or Rs 21,900 every month, which translates to a monthly salary of Rs 32,900 for contract drivers and Rs 29,000 of contract operators.
“We hope that this proposal will be cleared soon and in a month or two, the contract drivers and conductors will start earning regular grades, as well as annual increments,” said CM Atishi, adding the proposal to suspend the contract workers. sent to LG.
The CM’s bonanza of DTC contract workers ahead of the elections is seen as an attempt by the ruling AAP to win over a large vote bank. The 22,000 contract workers of the DTC, along with their family members, are considered to be able to influence the results in many rural areas of north and east Delhi.
CM Atishi said that the salary hike of DTC contract workers will involve an additional annual expenditure of Rs 222 crore by the Delhi government, where the Cabinet will soon approve the proposal.
He said that 4,564 contract drivers and 17,850 drivers complained that they were placed in depots far away from their homes and wanted to be recognized in places close to their homes.
“A new policy has been announced by DTC on November 3, to improve the employment of drivers and conductors to try to give them spaces near their homes. All work will be online and the list of names to be sent will be prepared in a transparent manner,” he said.
Atishi also thanked the drivers and operators for stopping the agitation and giving the Delhi government time to resolve the issues.
A training program has also been prepared to train contract drivers, who drive CNG buses, to use e-buses, their fleet will increase in the coming months.
The CM also raised the issue of strike by Sarojini Nagar Depot workers after it was converted into an all-women depot. Most of the female workers refused to be sent to the depot, wanting to be sent closer to their homes.
“On one day of our meeting with the harassed women workers, we issued orders allowing them to seek transfer to the depots of their choice,” said the Chief Minister.
Speaking about the delay in the reintegration of the 10,000 unemployed buskers, CM Atishi said he wants to request the LG on behalf of all women in the city to bring back the bus drivers early so that they are safe on public transport buses.
