OSRT Staff Association Withdraws Stir After Govt Assures 20% Hike In Basic Pay

Photograph: Ashok Panda

Bhubaneswar: The three-day statewide agitation by All Odisha State Road Transport Staff Association (AOSRTSA) was withdrawn on Monday after the state government announced 20 percent hike in the basic pay and Dearness Allowance (DA).

Announcing this to the media, Commerce and Transport minister Nrusingha Sahu said that the AOSRTSA has withdrawn its agitation after the state government has agreed in principle for a 20 percent hike in the basic pay and Dearness Allowance (DA) of the OSRT employees.

“The government has agreed to meet one of the 5-point charter of demands of the Association while efforts are on to fulfill the remaining four demands,” the minister said.

The demands of the Association include regularization of services of all contract employees, equal work, payment of salary on equal pay, equal work as per the directive of the Supreme Court, provisions of DA of OSRT employees at par with government employees, no illegal collection of money from the bus conductors, drivers and mechanics by the concerned authorities and promotion of all OSRT staff in all grades.