Maharashtra State Transport staff issue notice for protest ahead of Diwali

The Maharashtra State Transport Kamgar Sanghatana on Thursday (October 22, 2026) announced a series of protests and strike, issuing a notice to the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) and seeking a resolution to its demands by November 2.

The union will organise a procession in Mumbai on November 3, followed by a visit by a delegation to the Assembly in Nagpur on November 4. From November 5, members will stage sit-in protests outside MSRTC offices and departmental headquarters across the State. The union warned that the agitation would intensify if its demands remained unresolved prior to Diwali.

Financial Demands

The union has demanded a Diwali bonus of ₹25,000 and an additional payment of ₹12,500. It has also sought payment of October salaries by November 2, clearance of annual increment arrears dating back to 2016, and settlement of pending housing allowance arrears and health sllowance arrears from 2018.

Other demands include an increase in health allowance from 58% to 60% starting January 2026 and a pay scale on a par with that of government employees.

Administrative and welfare demands

The union has rejected certain administrative policies and called for the removal of errors in cards issued to women and citizens. It has also sought facilities for recharging cards at MSRTC offices and an end to the alleged harassment of passengers over UPI payments for travel.

Among its welfare demands are healthcare facilities for the staff and their families and an end to contractual hiring. The union has called on the corporation to develop spaces for women’s groups instead of allotting land to petroleum firms. They also sought cancellation of contracts for electric buses, calling for the corporation to manufacture buses itself.

In addition, it has sought the withdrawal of a circular denying three months of maternity leave to women who use surrogacy and disciplinary action against officials who violate rules.