Salary arrears credited to 86,000 Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation employees

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has credited pending salary hike arrears to nearly 86,000 employees of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said on Wednesday.

According to an official statement, the government has released ₹100 crore to help the financially strained corporation clear the dues. The amount has been deposited into employees’ bank accounts, with the February instalment reportedly disbursed on Tuesday.

The MSRTC had been facing difficulty in paying salary arrears due to a shortage of funds. To address the issue, the state government made an immediate financial provision.

Minister Sarnaik said the support reflects the government’s commitment towards transport employees and described the move as a sign of sensitivity to their concerns.

Earlier, in October 2025, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, with the approval of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and then Finance Minister Ajit Pawar, had announced a monthly grant of around ₹65 crore after discussions with trade unions. The process of clearing arrears began in December.

Delay due to technical issues

However, technical difficulties and limited funds delayed the February instalment, leading to dissatisfaction among employees. Following discussions with senior state leaders, Sarnaik had sought ₹210 crore to address the pending dues.

Of this amount, ₹100 crore has now been released, and the remaining funds are expected to be provided soon, officials said.