Amid coronavirus outbreak, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking has dismissed 14 of its drivers and conductors who failed to report for work.
According to a report by Indian Express, these 14 were from the 2,000-odd employees issued charge-sheets last month for absenteeism. The BEST began dismissing these drivers and conductors from Monday, with 11 dismissed on June 22, two on June 23 and one on June 24 from different depots.
The BEST Sanyukt Kamgar Kruti Samiti has called BEST’s decision unfair and said that many of these employees were away in their hometowns owning to the lockdown, hence couldn't show up to work, reported Indian Express.
As restrictions on movement were eased from June 8, a number of buses of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) with seats occupied were seen plying in the city.
Even as the lockdown remains in force till June 30, the Maharashtra government, as part of the phase-wise reopening of the economy and public activities under 'Mission Begin Again', has allowed private offices to resume operations with 10 per cent staff.
Since the lockdown came into force in March, regular operations of BEST buses were suspended and services were available only for the essential services staff and health workers.
