PANJIM: The Kadamba bus drivers and employees extended their protest into the sixth consecutive day at Azad Maidan, Panjim, steadfast in their demands for the restoration of 150 to 300 buses scrapped out of 400, under the agreement of the seventh pay commission. Alongside, they emphasized the critical necessity of payment of arrears owed from the VII Pay Commission.
Expressing their concerns, a spokesperson for the protesting employees stated, “At this moment, we urgently require buses to resume services along various routes. Out of the 400 buses initially available, approximately 250 have been prematurely decommissioned, posing a significant operational challenge. Moreover, while the pay scales mandated by the Seventh Pay Commission have been enforced, the outstanding arrears spanning 34 months remain unsettled. Furthermore, the seventh pay agreement remains unsigned in the labour court.”
Enumerating further grievances, the spokesperson added, “Another longstanding issue pertains to the reduction of Provident Fund contributions from 12% to 10% in 2009, a decision that the management has yet to rectify. Despite several meetings with the management, these concerns persist.”
Highlighting their efforts to seek resolution, the protestors revealed, “We have engaged in numerous discussions with the Chief Minister, who pledged to address the Provident Fund matter. However, despite assurances, no progress has been made in the past eight months. With a plethora of unresolved issues and a severe shortage of buses, our ability to provide essential transportation services to the public remains severely compromised.”
Concluding their stance, they asserted, “Our primary demand is the reintroduction of approximately 250 to 300 buses to enhance public transportation services, ensuring the welfare of both commuters and employees alike.”
