Uddhav backs govt’s reform plan for BEST, tells staff we’re all in it together

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, whose efforts to mediate between striking BEST workers and the civic administration have so far failed, spoke out on Sunday in favour of a formula that may lead to part-privatisation of the utility.




Hoping to map out the middle ground between staff and management, he said some of the demands made by the workers needed to be met, including merger of the BMC and BEST budgets, while “complete privatisation” of the transport undertaking had to be opposed. But he hinted at tacit approval for the wet-leasing model touted by the BMC commissioner as a recovery plan to cut losses and add more buses to the loss-making fleet.

“Privatisation cannot be the final solution to BEST’s problems. Even if there are plans by the administration to privatise some buses in the fleet, we will ensure that BEST does not lose its ownership rights of running these buses,” he said. But the union is opposed to the wet leasing plan of introducing private buses and contract drivers, which it sees as the thin end of the wedge in the fight against privatisation. The issue is currently pending in court.

Thackeray’s statement came on the sixth day of the agitation by the 32,000 workers which has disrupted commuter schedules across the city. “I have no interest in politicising the strike and simply want the BEST to undertake reforms to curtail its losses,’’ said Thackeray, “I am open for a second round of discussions if need be.” The first round of talks with the BEST Workers Union led by Shashank Rao was held by Thackeray in the presence of mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar and BMC chief Ajoy Mehta on Thursday.

Despite claims of running the second largest union in the BEST, Shiv Sena was unable to persuade workers to return to their jobs and help restore services partially, exposing the differences between the party leadership and the utility staff on the way forward.

Thackeray said on Sunday there was no point in stakeholders blaming one another for the strike. “Salaries of BEST staffers are given as per a contractual agreement which is signed between the union and the administration. There is need for talks with the union. We did have discussions but could not break the deadlock,’’ he said.

BEST’s financial condition is poor and its coffers are empty, he said. “In the recent past, I had assured I will take up the issue of merging BEST’s budget with the civic budget. I will certainly try to get the budgets merged. If all stakeholders sit together and take a decision, this can be done faster,’’ he added.

Thackeray said BEST’s revival also hinged on recovery of Rs 350 crore from builders. The latter owe the BEST undertaking for redevelopment of depots, which resulted in some accrual of FSI. “The losses are huge and this needs to be curtailed soon.”