HRTC drivers to draw more salary

Tribune News Service

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Shimla, March 17

The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has decided to increase the salary of drivers and interim relief for pensioners.

This was announced by Transport Minister Govind Singh Thakur, who presided over a meeting of the HRTC Board of Directors here today. It was decided to provide four per cent interim relief to the pensioners of the HRTC from April, besides releasing the arrear of DA due from May 2015 to May 2016.

“The salary of HRTC drivers will be enhanced from Rs 7,700 to Rs 8,310, which will make their monthly salary Rs 11,310,” said Thakur. A decision was also taken to increase the grade pay of contractual employees from 100 to 125 per cent, he added.

As many as 100 electric buses would be purchased with the financial assistance of the Centre and 267 other buses with assistance from the state government. A proposal to increase reservation under the kith and kin employment policy from five per cent to 10 per cent had been made which would be taken up at the next Cabinet meeting. It had been decided to give priority in employment to the kin of those who die while on duty, he said.

Approval was given to provide wages to part-time and daily wage workers on a par with state government employees. A discussion was also held on providing the facility of accident policy to the drivers and conductors of the corporation and it was decided that proposals would be invited in this regard from various service providers within two weeks.

The Board of Directors also approved the enhancement of the share to 14 per cent to its employees under the New Pension Scheme on the analogy of the state government.The pending leave encashment of the pensioners would be released for which a provision of Rs 7 crore had been made.

Vice-Chairperson of the corporation Vijay Agnihotri, Principal Secretary JC Sharma and Managing Director Sandeep Bhatnagar were present.