Rajasthan govt grants gratuity to retired RSRTC employees

JAIPUR: Chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday gave his nod to the long-pending demand of retired employees of Rajasthan State Roadways Transport Corporation (RSRTC) by granting gratuity to those who retired after 2016. RSRTC comes under corporations with different service rules for its employees and have denied them gratuity and other benefits. The decision will cost around Rs 470 crore to the exchequer.
“The pending sum should be given in one instalment,” said Gehlot. This would mean that those who retired in 2016 will get gratuity at one go. This is considered a big decision as it was pending from the previous BJP government.
As per a report, over 5,500 employees of the RSRTC have retired since 2016 and have been denied retirement benefits. The reason given was the poor financial condition of RSRTC. The RSRTC Employees' Association has been demanding the benefits since 2016.
The move came days ahead of a statewide bandh call given by RSRTC employees on October 27 to press for their demands.
Transport minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, who joined the meeting from Udaipur, urged Gehlot to implement the 7th Pay Commission to RSRTC employees. Replying to it, Gehlot asked RSRTC officials present at the meeting to submit a proposal to the finance department.
“It was the BJP government that took benefits away from RSRTC officials due to their mismanagement. Now, the employees have been given their due, restoring their faith in the government,” said Khachariyawas.