Maharashtra Transport Minister approves ₹10,000 one‑time grant for 83,000 MSRTC staff

Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has approved a one‑time ₹10,000 ex‑gratia payment for each of the 83,000 officers and employees of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). The decision was taken at a meeting of MSRTC officials on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. In addition, eligible staff will receive an advance of ₹12,500 before the Diwali festival and the corporation’s Dearness Allowance will rise from 58 % to 60 %. Sarnaik said the measures are meant to ensure workers can enjoy Diwali despite the corporation’s financial strain. He estimated the extra outlay will cost around ₹160 crore for MSRTC. The ex‑gratia is a one‑off cash gift, not a permanent salary rise. The DA hike to 60 % will affect future salary calculations. Sarnaik urged transport employees to avoid agitation or strikes, stressing that their concerns can be settled through dialogue. He highlighted that the staff’s role in providing safe transport for lakhs of passengers deserves recognition. He also reminded that any future grievances should be addressed through discussions with the transport department.

Context

The grant comes as MSRTC, which runs bus services across Maharashtra, faces budget pressure from rising fuel and maintenance costs, making occasional one‑time bonuses a way to boost morale without altering core salaries.