MSRTC Announces ₹10,000 Diwali Bonus for 83,000 Employees, Raises DA to 60%

Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) employees are set to receive a Diwali bonus of ₹10,000 each, following an announcement by Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Thursday, November 5. The decision is expected to benefit approximately 83,000 employees of the state-run transport undertaking, providing financial relief to its workforce ahead of the festive season.

Alongside the bonus, the Maharashtra government has approved an increase in the dearness allowance (DA) for MSRTC employees from the existing 58 per cent to 60 per cent. Eligible employees will also receive a festival advance of ₹12,500, giving them additional financial support to meet expenses during Diwali celebrations.

The announcements were made during a meeting between Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik and representatives of various MSRTC employee unions at the Transport Commissioner’s office in Bandra, Mumbai. The meeting focused on employee welfare, financial concerns and issues affecting the functioning of the transport corporation.

The latest decisions are expected to place an additional financial burden of approximately ₹160 crore on MSRTC, according to the minister. The expenditure comes at a time when the corporation continues to face financial difficulties, raising concerns about the financial pressure on the state-run transport undertaking.

However, Sarnaik maintained that the government was committed to ensuring that employees could celebrate Diwali without financial difficulties despite the corporation’s challenging economic position. He emphasised that the contribution of transport workers to Maharashtra’s public transport network deserved recognition and financial support.

Highlighting the role played by employees in maintaining essential public transport services, Sarnaik said that officers and workers of the State Transport (ST) corporation work around the clock to ensure safe and reliable travel for millions of passengers.

He said providing a Diwali bonus was not simply an act of generosity but a rightful benefit for employees who dedicate themselves to keeping public transport services operational.

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The minister also appealed to employee unions and workers to avoid protests and strikes, warning that any disruption could create significant inconvenience for ordinary commuters who depend on MSRTC buses for their daily transportation needs.

He stressed that the government and the corporation remained committed to addressing employees’ grievances through discussions and dialogue rather than industrial action. Sarnaik also reiterated the need to improve passenger services while strengthening the corporation’s financial position.

MSRTC is the country’s largest state-run public transport undertaking, operating a fleet of nearly 15,000 buses across Maharashtra. The corporation transports approximately 55 lakh passengers every day, making it a crucial part of the state’s public transportation infrastructure.

Its extensive network connects urban centres, towns and rural areas, providing an essential transportation link for millions of people, including daily commuters, students and workers.

With the latest bonus announcement, DA revision and festival advance, the Maharashtra government has sought to address employee demands while maintaining the continuity of public transport services during the festive period.

The challenge for MSRTC will now be to balance employee welfare commitments with its financial recovery efforts, while ensuring uninterrupted bus services for millions of passengers across the state.