New Delhi, Dec 9 (NationPress) Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Monday connected with the 22,000 contractual staff of the Delhi Transport Corporation and guaranteed them a salary increase, regularization of services, assignments in depots nearer to their residences, and re-skilling of drivers to operate e-buses as the CNG fleet is gradually being retired.

During a press briefing, CM Atishi announced that a proposal is being forwarded to Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena to implement grade pay, replacing the current daily wage of Rs 843 or Rs 21,900 monthly, which would elevate the monthly salary of contractual drivers to Rs 32,900 and contractual conductors to Rs 29,000.

“We hope this proposal will receive prompt approval, and within a month or two, contract drivers and conductors will begin receiving regular grade pay, along with yearly increments,” stated CM Atishi, adding that a proposal for the regularization of services for contractual staff will also be submitted to the L-G.

This initiative for DTC contractual staff is perceived as an attempt by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to attract a considerable voting demographic ahead of the elections. The 22,000 contractual DTC employees and their families are believed to have the potential to impact the outcomes in various constituencies in the northern and eastern parts of Delhi.

CM Atishi mentioned that the wage increase for the DTC contractual staff will lead to an extra annual expenditure of Rs 222 crore by the Delhi government, for which a proposal will soon be approved by the Cabinet.

She explained that the 4,564 contractual drivers and 17,850 contractual conductors had expressed dissatisfaction regarding postings far from their homes and requested assignments closer to their residences.

“A new policy was introduced by the DTC on November 3, aimed at rationalizing the assignments of drivers and conductors to facilitate postings nearer to their homes. This entire process will be conducted online, ensuring transparency in the allocation of postings,” she stated.

CM Atishi also expressed gratitude to the drivers and conductors for halting their protests and allowing the Delhi government to address their concerns.

A training program has been established to educate contractual drivers, who currently operate CNG buses, on how to manage e-buses, with plans for the fleet to expand in the upcoming months.

The CM further addressed a flash strike by staff at the Sarojini Nagar Depot following its transition to an all-women depot. Several female employees had raised objections about their postings at the depot, requesting assignments nearer to their homes.

“Within one day after our meeting with the protesting female employees, we issued directives permitting them to apply for transfers to depots of their preference,” the Chief Minister remarked.

Regarding the delay in the re-engagement of 10,000 unemployed bus marshals, CM Atishi stated that she intends to appeal to the L-G on behalf of all women in the city for the prompt reinstatement of bus marshals for enhanced safety in public transport buses.