Addressing media persons on Friday, Agnihotri, who holds the Transport portfolio, highlighting the decisions taken in the Board of Directors meeting, informed that it was decided to grant approval to fill 171 regular posts of JOA (IT) in the corporation.
File Photo: IANS
Himachal Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said that the ad-hoc system prevailing in the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) for many years will now be abolished.
Addressing media persons on Friday, Agnihotri, who holds the Transport portfolio, highlighting the decisions taken in the Board of Directors meeting, informed that it was decided to grant approval to fill 171 regular posts of JOA (IT) in the corporation.
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This long-pending recruitment will provide major relief to the youth, he said, adding that along with this, a decision has also been taken to bring 78 piece-meal workers on contract.
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He further said that regular recruitment of drivers has already been carried out earlier. “HRTC drivers and conductors often have to stay away from their homes at night, but till now night-out allowance was not paid for distances of less than 30 kilometres. This condition has been removed in the Board meeting and now employees travelling less than 30 km will also be entitled to night-out allowance,” he said.
He further stated that 78 piece-meal workers will be given relief under a one-time settlement.
The Deputy Chief Minister said in accordance with the notification issued by the state government, approval has been given to increase the daily wage of HRTC daily-wage employees by Rs. 40.
With this, the daily wage has been increased from Rs. 410 to Rs. 425, he stated.
A decision has also been taken to grant three percent dearness allowance to employees and to release its arrears by March and also the medical reimbursement payments will also be made.
He clarified that employees are being paid salaries and pensioners are receiving pensions on time, though occasionally there is a slight delay due to late release of grants from the state government.
He said that 9,099 employees of the corporation have already been brought under the Old Pension Scheme.
“Buses giving an average of less than 2.50 kilometres will be phased out in a phased manner. However, before removing any bus, it will be assessed after repairs. Buses involving high maintenance costs will not be operated,” he said,
He informed that around 500 such buses will be removed over the next two months.
He added that new batteries will be purchased to restart old e-buses that are currently parked, for which approval has been granted by the Board of Directors.
Agnihotri said, “Passengers availing concessional travel will have to obtain the Him Bus Card before January 31. So far, 21,000 people have obtained this card as it is mandatory for people belonging to 28 categories ,who avail concessional bus services.”
In addition, bus ticket booking facilities will now be available at Lok Mitra centres, so passengers will not need to visit bus stands, he added.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that employees performing well in the transport corporation will be honoured through an annual felicitation ceremony.
He said that Rs. 23 crore has been released as pension revision benefits to 696 pensioners above 75 years of age.
In addition, pensions of 222 pensioners whose pensions had not been started earlier have now been initiated and Rs. 29 crore has been credited to their accounts, he stated, adding that dearness allowance arrears are also being released.
He said that the state government is continuously taking concrete steps to strengthen HRTC, protect the interests of employees and pensioners, and provide better facilities to passengers.
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