MSRTC employees to get 'Diwali bonus'

After a gap of 17 years, the Maharashtra government has decided to give 'Diwali bonus' to the employees of the State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) this year.
"Drivers of State Transport buses do not celebrate Diwali, so that others can celebrate the festival. (Shiv Sena chief) Uddhavji (Thackeray) said that the employees of the ST staff should be given the respect that they deserve. Hence, I spoke to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and decided to gift the employees a Diwali bonus. The CM seemed to be very positive towards the idea," state Transport minister Diwakar Raote said.
He said all the workers would get a bonus of Rs 2,500 each, while officers would get Rs 5,000 each.

"A total of one lakh, seven thousand employees will be benefited by the government's decision," he said.
"The last time bonus was given was way back in 1998, when I was the Transport Minister. Employees are now getting a bonus after a gap of 17 years. Though the ST corporation is running in losses, we feel that the employees should be given the respect they deserve. The money will be disbursed before the start of the Diwali season," Raote said.