Mumbai, Oct 30 The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking on Friday announced ex-gratia payment of Rs 33,000 to its 22,654 staffers ahead of Diwali.
The amount was Rs 31,000 last year. The current year’s payment is expected to put an additional financial burden of around Rs 75 crore on the cash-strapped undertaking.
BEST Committee chairperson Trushna Vishwasrao made the announcement at a press conference at the civic-run power and transport undertaking’s headquarters in Colaba.
“The amount will be credited to their bank accounts along with their November salaries on November 3, ahead of the festival. The decision to grant the ex gratia payment was taken following directions from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde,” Vishwasrao said.
Vishwasrao said discussions were also underway with wet-lease bus operators to ensure their contractual employees too receive Diwali payments.
While acknowledging the financial difficulties faced by BEST, Vishwasrao said payment of pending gratuity dues to retired employees would also be ensured.
The ex-gratia announcement followed a controversy earlier in the day when BJP MLA Prasad Lad announced the bonus after meeting BEST General Manager Sonia Sethi.
Vishwasrao expressed displeasure, questioning Lad’s authority to make the announcement. The BEST chairperson said she had complained to senior Shiv Sena leaders.
The announcement comes two days after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced ex gratia payment of Rs 33,000 to its employees and other eligible beneficiaries.
(PTI News)
