2 days ago
DTC Drivers’ Wage Strike Disrupts Delhi Bus Services
Delhi bus drivers stopped working to ask for better pay and benefits.
They want higher daily wages, medical coverage, overtime payment and leave.
The drivers said they receive Rs 862 each day, with Rs 60 taken out for provident fund contributions.
Because many buses were not running, commuters waited longer and some paid more for auto-rickshaws.
Delhi Airport warned that bus trips to and from the airport could be affected.
Transfers between airport terminals were expected to continue through other arrangements.
The transport minister asked the drivers to stop protesting after private companies reportedly addressed many demands.
The drivers continued because they said there was still no clear promise of a salary increase.
DTC buses remained largely off Delhi’s roads as drivers protested for higher daily wages, medical facilities and overtime payment.
Reports dated Friday, September 18, described the strike as entering its fourth day, although one headline called it the fifth day.
Drivers said they receive Rs 862 per day, with Rs 60 deducted for provident fund contributions, and called the remaining pay inadequate.
Commuters faced fewer buses, long waits and higher auto-rickshaw costs, while Delhi Airport warned that bus connectivity could be affected.
Transport Minister Pankaj Singh urged drivers to end the strike, but drivers said private concessionaires had not assured them of a salary increase.
- Who
- Delhi Transport Corporation drivers and conductors, private concessionaires, Transport Minister Pankaj Singh and affected commuters.
- What
- A strike over daily-wage increases, medical facilities, overtime payment and leave kept many DTC buses off Delhi roads.
- Where
- DTC depots across Delhi, including Nand Nagri, Rani Khera, Rajghat, Nehru Place, Burari, Wazirpur, Ghumanhera and Sarita Vihar; airport connectivity was also affected.
- When
- By Friday, September 18, the strike was described in the reports as entering its fourth day; an article headline described it as entering its fifth day, creating a discrepancy.
- Why
- Drivers said their current pay was inadequate and that private concessionaires had not clearly assured them of a salary increase and other benefits.
Striking Drivers
Government and Concessionaires
Pay and benefits
Striking Drivers
Drivers and conductors said Rs 862 per day was not feasible and sought higher pay, medical coverage, overtime payment and leave. They said the private companies had not given a clear salary-hike assurance.
Government and Concessionaires
Transport Minister Pankaj Singh said most demands had been assured by private concessionaires and directed them to resolve the issues. The reports also said Rs 862 was the minimum wage fixed by the Delhi government for contractual DTC drivers.
Whether to end the strike
Striking Drivers
Driver Sonu Beniwal said talks had not produced a solution, so the peaceful strike would continue until the salary issue was addressed.
Government and Concessionaires
The transport minister appealed to drivers to withdraw the strike, while the reduced bus service caused inconvenience to commuters and affected airport connectivity.
Key facts
- Reported strike duration
- Fourth day on Friday, September 18; one headline described it as the fifth day
- Drivers’ demands
- Higher daily wages, medical facilities, overtime payment and leave
- Reported daily wage
- Rs 862 per day, with Rs 60 deducted for provident fund
- Affected depots
- Nand Nagri, Rani Khera, Rajghat, Nehru Place, Burari, Wazirpur, Ghumanhera, Sarita Vihar and others
- DTC scale
- Around 6,500 buses and approximately 60 lakh daily passengers
- Commuter impact
- Fewer buses, long waits, higher auto-rickshaw costs and potentially disrupted airport bus connectivity
- Government response
- Transport Minister Pankaj Singh directed private concessionaires to address the issues and appealed to drivers to withdraw the strike
Quotes
Another protesting driver
A DTC driver participating in the strike
“The minimum wage fixed by the Delhi government for DTC contractual drivers is as per the pay scale set by the government; we are only demanding that we should also be given the salary at par. There is also no medical cover and leave for us”
theprint.in
“The government should work out a solution so that we are not faced with problems in dealing with private vendors. Our peaceful strike will continue as the transport department officials said talks are ongoing”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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