Explained: Why MSRTC employees are on strike, and what led to protests outside Sharad Pawar’s house

Hundreds of protesters had gathered outside Pawar's residence, raising slogans against the veteran politician. The protests later turned violent. While women protesters broke their bangles, men threw sandals at the NCP chief's residence.

The employees of MSRTC have been on a strike since October 27, 2021. (Express Photo By Ganesh Shirsekar)

A group of alleged Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporations (MSRTC) staffers, who have been on strike over the last five months, tried to enter Silver Oak, the residence of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Friday and indulged in violence.

Hundreds of protesters had gathered outside Pawar’s residence, raising slogans against the veteran politician. The protests later turned violent. While women protesters broke their bangles, men threw sandals at the NCP chief’s residence.

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Supriya Sule, NCP MP and Pawar’s daughter, asked the protesters to calm down and discuss the issue calmly.

Why are MSRTC employees on strike?

The employees of MSRTC have been on a strike since October 27, 2021. They have been demanding that the transport corporation be merged with the state government so that they are entitled to salaries and benefits as state government employees.

Nearly all the 250 bus depots across Maharashtra have been shut since November 9 last year, paralysing the public transportation system and affecting lakhs of people who depend on state buses for travel.

Apart from staging protests at bus depots across the state, hundreds of workers have also been protesting at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai since November 10. The staffers call these protests “mourning” for their 120 colleagues, who have died over the last 18 months due to financial stress.

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Maharashtra politician Sharad Pawar’s daughter and MP Supriya Sule found herself mobbed by a group of protesters from the state transport unit outside her home in South Mumbai on Friday. (Express Photo By Ganesh Shirsekar)

What triggered the strike?

The issue started with a delay in salaries of over 90,000 staffers for three to four months after the first nationwide lockdown during the pandemic. As MSRTC struggled to pay salaries, several staffers allegedly committed suicide. One of the staffers had even blamed CM Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in his suicide note. The state government then decided to provide financial assistance to MSRTC.

As the protests began, the MSRTC filed a contempt petition in the Bombay High Court against the ongoing strike which was declared illegal earlier by the labour court.

While hearing the matter, the court directed the state government to appoint a three-member committee to look into the demand for a merger and submit its report. The panel submitted the report last month but denied the possibility of a merger, citing administrative, legal and financial reasons.

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What did the government do?

To persuade the staffers to end the strike, state transport minister Anil Parab on November 25 announced up to 41 per cent pay hike based on seniority and also gave a hike in monthly allowances. He, however, pointed out that the decision on the merger would be taken depending upon the committee’s report.

The pay hike announcement though failed to impress the staffers. Meanwhile, the government suspended around 12,000 staffers and issued a dismissal notice to 8,000 others.

What did the HC say?

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The MSRTC filed a plea on Tuesday seeking to withdraw the contempt petition that it had filed earlier. On Thursday, the Bombay High Court directed the employees to return to work by April 22 without any fear of disciplinary action.

Even as the staffers at Azad Maidan celebrated the court’s order on Thursday, they did not end the strike.

Some believe that the reason behind Friday’s protest at Pawar’s residence is that a few staffers were upset with the court order.

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Vallabh Ozarkar

Vallabh Ozarkar is a Senior Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized as an authoritative and deeply knowledgeable voice on the politics, governance, and infrastructure of Maharashtra. With approximately seven years of experience in major news organizations, his reporting delivers high standards of Expertise and Trustworthiness. Expertise & Authority Current Role: Senior Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai bureau. Geographical Specialization: Provides exclusive and detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, operating at the epicenter of the state's decision-making in Mumbai. Core Authority: His reporting demonstrates deep Expertise across critical and often complex state matters, including: Political Dynamics: In-depth analysis of the ruling coalition (Mahayuti) and opposition (MVA), internal party conflicts, and crucial election updates, including local body polls and municipal corporation tussles. Governance & Policy: Focused coverage on significant state policies, such as the overhaul of Mumbai's 'pagdi system' (rent control for old buildings) and social welfare schemes (e.g., Ladki Bahin Yojana accountability). Infrastructure & Development: Reports on major urban and regional infrastructure projects, including the Mumbai Water Metro, Uttan-Virar Sea Link, and Thane Metro development. Administrative Oversight: Follows legislative actions, cabinet decisions, and reports on issues of accountability and alleged fraud within state departments. Experience Current Role: His role at The Indian Express—a leading national daily—validates the credibility and standard of his reporting. Career Foundation: Prior to The Indian Express, Vallabh contributed to other major metropolitan news outlets, including the Mumbai Mirror and DNA - Daily News & Analysis, providing a solid foundation in rigorous urban and political journalism. Evidence of Impact: His work consistently breaks down complex political developments and administrative failures, such as exposing discrepancies in government welfare schemes, cementing his reputation as a trusted source for ground-level, impactful news from Maharashtra. He tweets @Ozarkarvallabh ... Read More