Gujarat Police rolls back order to relieve TRB personnel completing 3 years in service

The decision came hours after state BJP chief C R Paatil, on the sidelines of a party programme in Mahisagar, told mediapersons on Thursday that “by evening, there will be a good news” for TRB personnel, who are hired on contract.

The TRB personnel have been protesting against the November 18 notification, which stated that while personnel with 10 years of service will be relieved on November 30, those who have completed five years on the job will be relieved on December 31. Personnel who have completed three years of service will be relieved on March 31, 2024. Around 3,400 TRB personnel would have been relieved in a phased manner if the notification was implemented.

When contacted, Sahay said the earlier notification has been rolled back. He had told The Indian Express on Wednesday, “…It is not correct to let a person remain on duty for a long time at one place. Generally, in the police department, the personnel serving in the traffic department is transferred in three years.”

He had added, “TRB is not an employment given for one’s lifetime but is contractual… they are hired on daily wages. We will fill the gap by recruiting new members as others should also be given a chance to work in the Traffic Brigade.”

Gujarat MoS Home Harsh Sanghavi said on Thursday, “We have assured the representatives of TRB personnel of all possible help. We strictly told them they will get all support but with a condition that the public should not be harassed on the road.”

Over 9,000 personnel work as TRB personnel across the state to assist the traffic police. According to figures, while over 1,100 TRB personnel have already spent 10 years in service, 3,000 have spent five years and 2,300 spent three years on the job.

The protest by affected personnel had reached the Surat Collectorate on Wednesday where they handed over a memorandum to Collector Ayush Oak, demanding withdrawal of the notification and a wage hike from Rs 300 a day to Rs 450. The protesters were accompanied by Congress leaders.

TRB personnel of Surat, Navsari and Valsad had also remained off duty on Wednesday. A delegation of TRB personnel made representation to Paatil’s office on Wednesday and to Sanghavi’s office on Thursday.

Surat TRB personnel Anita Thakore (40) said, “All TRB personnel are happy with the new circular. We prayed that our jobs should not be snatched away. We are thankful to the Home minister and other leaders who have helped us in getting justice.”