MUMBAI: Stirring controversy, transport minister Pratap Sarnaik said MSRTC is suffering losses due to the discounts given to women and senior citizens, and that no new concessions will be given from now on. “Our sisters get a 50% concession, senior citizens also get concessions for years in buses, and due to those concessions, the situation has become such that MSRTC buses are losing Rs 3 crore each day. If we keep giving concessions to everyone, I think it will be difficult to run MSRTC,” said Sarnaik.
With buzz that the concession for women and senior citizens will be shut in MSRTC, DCM Ekanth Shinde stepped in and clarified that none of the concessions will be stopped.
“The Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme will not be discontinued. At the same time, the 50% discount given to beloved sisters in MSRTC bus travel will not be discontinued. Also, the discount given to senior citizens will not be discontinued,” said DCM Shinde.
Earlier this month, the state govt-appointed additional chief secretary (transport) Sanjay Sethi as chairperson MSRTC. Sarnaik was keen to get the post as in the past, all Sena transport ministers, such as Diwakar Raote and Anil Parab, were appointed MSRTC chairperson. Until recently, Sena MLA Bharat Gogawale was MSRTC chairperson. He resigned after he became a minister in the current Mahayuti govt.
The govt is already facing flak from the opposition for pruning the list of Ladki Bahin scheme beneficiaries.