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COVID-19 Pandemic claims lives of almost 100 MSRTC employees

On the occasion of the 72nd Foundation Day of the corporation on June 1, State Transport Minister Anil Parab announced a Rs 50 lakh ex-gratia payment for the families of employees of the MSRTC who died due to virus infection while working.

COVID-19 Pandemic claims lives of almost 100 MSRTC employees
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Almost 100 employees of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), including drivers and conductors, have lost their lives due to COVID-19.

According to the policy guidelines fixed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, financial assistance of ₹50 lakhs will be provided to their family only if he was on duty 14 days before the death of the employee concerned. As a result, only the eight families were found to be eligible for financial assistance.

With the addition of 12 cases on Friday, December 18, the number of MSRTC workers infected so far has reached 3,646. Out of these, 3,130 have recovered; 97 have died. The government has already approved ex-gratia payments for the families of eight victims. Ex-gratia of ₹50 lakhs has already been released to the family members of six deceased, two are in process. According to the officials, only families of frontline workers would be eligible for ex-gratia payments.

As per reports, it was observed that out of the total employees’ death, more than half were drivers, said senior official. At present, 328 officers and employees are undergoing treatment.

Meanwhile, the officials also stated that the corporation has decided to give jobs to the heirs of all the employees who die due to coronavirus infection. The death toll is highest in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nashik, Sangli and Kolhapur divisions.

Apart from Mumbai City MSRTC buses also ferried passengers from Virar, Vasai, Mira Road, Nallasopara and Palghar; Panvel, Vashi, Shahpur, Kalyan, Dombivali, Titwala, Kalwa, Thane and Badlapur of MMR.

In the past few months, employees of MSRTC have risked their lives to ensure that the services are functional in the state, including MMR, especially with local trains ferrying essential service personnel only. Amidst this, several MSRTC employees were also infected with the coronavirus with many succumbing to the disease.

Currently, MSRTC operates around 13,000 buses across the state, including Mumbai. These buses on average carry around 20 lakh passengers every day.

On the occasion of the 72nd Foundation Day of the corporation on June 1, State Transport Minister Anil Parab announced a ₹50 lakhs ex-gratia payment for the families of employees of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation who died due to virus infection while working.

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