State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced significant measures to improve the welfare of State Transport Undertaking (ST) employees and their families during the Road Safety Abhiyan program in Thane on January 11. Key initiatives include the establishment of 25-bed cashless hospitals in each district and a 100-bed cashless hospital in Mumbai, under the Mahatma Phule Arogya Yojana, offering free treatment up to INR 5 lakh. Sarnaik also emphasised learning from the successful transport services of Gujarat and Karnataka to implement similar improvements in Maharashtra.
At the National Road Safety Month inauguration, Sarnaik flagged off 17 newly introduced buses in Thane Division and highlighted the importance of addressing employee concerns. He stressed the need for facilities like rest areas, hot water for bathing, and drinking water to enhance working conditions and passenger services.
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Sarnaik noted the financial struggles of ST employees, including challenges related to their children's education and medical expenses for family members. To address these issues, he proposed cashless hospitals at ST depots, modeled after Thane's Gangubai Shinde and Indirabai Saranaik hospitals, which already provide free treatment up to INR 5 lakh under the Mahatma Phule Arogya Yojana.
Employee Welfare Initiatives
The minister also suggested offering discounted meals at canteens in warehouses constructed on a PPP basis, ensuring better care for the employees who manage passenger safety. These measures aim to reduce accidents and improve employee morale.
Addressing frequent employee strikes, Sarnaik expressed concern over the hardships faced by their families and pledged to balance employee welfare with enhanced passenger facilities. As entrusted by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Sarnaik affirmed his commitment to improving Maharashtra’s transport services.