In order to uplift the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) which is reeling under losses, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had suggested some measures which have been followed by the BEST. However, the BMC did not make any provision in their financial budget 2017-18.
Meanwhile, BMC Commissioner Ajoy Mehta clarified that whatever efforts he is taking for the BEST, is not to help them financially but he wants to save the BEST and its workers’ job. Mehta said that he does not want BEST workers to suffer like mill workers and so he asked the BEST to follow some reform measures.
While presenting the budget of the financial year 2018-19, the BMC commissioner clarified that he had suggested some reform measures to help the BEST to recover their losses. Following the same, the BEST initiated some reform measures which included withdrawal of special allowances to employees to cut cost and wet-leasing of buses from private players. Likewise, the BEST who was reeling under losses was able to recover ₹550 Cr of ₹880 Cr. However, the BMC did not make any financial measure for the BEST, pointed out NCP corporator Rakhi Jadhav and Shiv Sena leader Yashwant Jadhav in the BMC house.
Earlier, the BMC had granted ₹1600 Cr loan to the BEST but it did not help the BEST to recover their losses, said Mehta. He added that until the BEST follows the reform measures, the BEST will not be able to come out of losses. He further said that the BEST was asked to implement the suggested reform measures so that the BEST is able to pay their employees on time. Mehta said that if the BEST fails to pay their salaries on time, the BEST will not be able to survive.
In the next few days, the BEST will roll out nearly 450 new buses on new routes. Along with this, electric buses will help in reducing the cost of fuel and pollution which will be favourable to the BEST,” Ajoy Mehta, BMC commissioner.
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