The Maharashtra State Transport (ST) workers’ union on Monday called off their protest after the state government announced festive bonus and salary dues.
Maharashtra State Transport (ST) Workers’ Joint Action Committee, in a letter said that it has decided to temporarily suspend its indefinite sit-in protest that was scheduled to begin on October 14.
The decision followed after a key meeting that was held on Monday with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik.
During the meeting, which was also attended by the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), several financial demands of MSRTC workers were accepted.
As per the Joint Action Committee, the government announced Rs 6,500 salary hike arrears (pending since April 2020) will be paid in monthly instalments starting from this month’s salary, Rs 6,000 Diwali bonus will be provided to all ST employees and Rs 12,500 festive advance will also be disbursed to eligible staff.
The state government assured that the remaining financial demands will be discussed and resolved in a meeting to be held within the next three months, the letter stated.
“In light of these assurances, the Joint Action Committee has decided to temporarily call off its planned sit-in protest, which was earlier announced through a notice on September 24, 2025.”
The Committee has informed the MSRTC administration about the suspension of the protest and reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the interests of over 85,000 ST workers and officers.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday announced a Rs 6,000 special `Diwali gift` for around 85,000 employees and officers of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC).
An official statement said that the state government will also provide Rs 65 crore every month to MSRTC to pay the pending salary hike arrears. Eligible employees will receive a Diwali advance of Rs 12,500, as done in previous years.
The announcement was made during a meeting with employee unions and action committees at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai. The meeting was attended by Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik, senior government officials, and union representatives, it said.
Shinde said, “Just like the state is standing firmly with farmers affected by heavy rains, we also want MSRTC staff to have a happy Diwali. Hence, we have taken this decision today.”
He added that efforts are being made to strengthen MSRTC financially, including developing MSRTC land under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to increase revenue.
