The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra govt to place on affidavit its stand on the merger of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) with the state government by March 22.
A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice M S Karnik asked the government to clarify its stand after it was informed that the three-member committee was placed before the cabinet.
The HC is hearing a contempt petition filed by the MSRTC after its workers went on strike from November 3-4 midnight to press their demand that they be treated on par with state government employees.
Government counsel S C Naidu informed the court that the report was placed before the cabinet on March 2 and before the State Assembly on March 4. However, the final decision is yet to be taken on the same.
MSRTC counsel GS Hegde said that they have repeatedly requested the workers on strike to resume duty failing which disciplinary action would be initiated.
The court asked the MSRTC not to take any action till the government conveys its decision.
Asking the government to file its affidavit by March 22, the court noted in its order: "We are informed by Mr Naidu that due to the ongoing budget session, the final decision could not be taken (on the 3-member committee report)... However, the decision is likely in a short period of time."
The MSRTC had earlier informed that of the 82,000 workers, 28,000 had resumed work. The transport corporation had then decided not to take any action against those who resumed work.
The court and MSRTC have repeatedly asked the workers to end the strike as the students in interior Maharashtra are facing hardship since the schools have reopened fully and they depend primarily on the state transport buses.
State transport minister Anil Parab had earlier said that a committee that was set up to probe the issue had stated in its report the merger of the MSRTC with the state government was not feasible.
Though the state government has increased the salaries of MSRTC employees, they have refused to accept the hike and instead are demanded a merger.
Meanwhile, as the strike continues which began almost four months ago, the state council chairman Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar on Tuesday asked the state government to soon set up a committee of members from the ruling and opposition parties of both the houses of the legislature to hold talks with the striking employees sitting at Azad Maidan.
Nimbalkar’s announcement came days after the three-member committee headed by the former chief secretary ruled out the possibility of MSRTC’s merger with the state government. Transport Minister Anil Parab announced a committee will be soon established.
