Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has shared a video of his journey in a Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus. Rahul also talked to the bus conductor, driver and other staff. He asked the bus staff about their salary and learned about their problems. On Monday, Rahul cornered the Aam Aadmi Party government of Delhi and listed the problems of the bus staff. Rahul said that drivers and conductors are forced to live in the darkness of uncertainty. Home guards who are constantly deployed for the security of passengers have been without salary for 6 months.
In a conversation with Rahul Gandhi, the DTC staff said that we get about 816 rupees a day. This includes other deductions including PF. We do not get any rest in a month. We do not get holidays even on festivals. If we take any leave, money is deducted. A driver said that our salary is decided according to the km. We have to work for 8 hours. One or two hours are also extra.
How to support a family without salary?
Rahul asked how can we help you? On this, the DTC staff told that we have not been getting salary for 5 months. From where will we pay the house rent and how will we feed the family? Children are not able to study. Buses are also not running properly. The state government puts the ball in the court of the center and the center shrugs off by saying that it is a state issue. Excuses are made for not releasing the funds. Now we have been asked to wait for two more months. We are also told to go to whichever leader you want. Nothing can be done. It is being said that salary will not be received before October. We have been treated like this and now new recruitment is going to be done, they will also be treated the same.
The contract is renewed every year
A bus conductor working on contract said, our contract is renewed every year. If the duty is less then the contract is not renewed. We are asked to sit at home. We should be made permanent. There should be equal pay and equal work. This is our demand.
Where to go now at the age of 50?
A home guard said, our question is that if citizenship is permanent then why is the job not permanent? Privatization is being done the most. What will be the future of our children due to this. We are waiting for salary since last 6 months. This is the reason that 24 jawans of the home guards lost their lives due to shock. Someone died of heart attack. Training is given every six months. Whereas we are already trained. We were recruited in the home guard after training. Currently, recruitment of 10285 has been announced and we have been given time till January 2025. We are more than 50 years old. Where should we go at this age? Who will give us job. A woman driver said, equal work and equal salary should be given.
Rahul Gandhi asked who is getting the benefit of privatization? On this, DTC employees said that industrialists are benefiting from this. Everyone wants to speak, but people are afraid to express their views.
Rahul asked if you people are able to save money. To this the DTC staff said absolutely not. The employees said that we have a one year contract. We always have the fear of being fired at any time.
What did Rahul Gandhi write in the post on X?
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wrote on Twitter, “A few days ago, after a pleasant bus ride in Delhi, I interacted with DTC employees and got to know about their daily routine and problems. No social security, no stable income and no permanent job – contractual labour has reduced a job of great responsibility to a state of compulsion. While drivers and conductors are forced to live in the darkness of uncertainty, the home guards who are constantly deployed for the safety of passengers have been without salary for 6 months. Troubled by this neglect, like government employees across the country, DTC workers are also living under the constant fear of privatisation. These are the people who run India, make the journey of millions of passengers smooth every day – but if they have got anything in return for their dedication, it is only injustice. The demands are clear – equal work, equal pay, complete justice. With a heavy heart and a saddened mind, they are asking the government, if we citizens are permanent, then why are our jobs temporary?
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)