Nagpur: Amid the ongoing Aapli Bus strike in Nagpur, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) President Prakash Ambedkar visited Samvidhan Chowk to express support for the protesters, and slammed the government while addressing the workers. “The government here is a robber. Your protest is legally correct; there is nothing illegal or unethical in this,” Ambedkar told the protesters on Thursday.
The strike, which had begun last week over wage disputes, has severely crippled the city bus service in the city. Ambedkar asked the protesters to seek answers from Union Minister Nitin Gadkari why the NMC has handed over the city bus service to private contractors. The former MP stressed that with the BJP in power, both at the Centre and in the State, it was unacceptable that no decision had been made yet to resolve the issue.
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The Aapli Bus workers are protesting salaries of Rs 10,000-12,000, “which have remained unchanged for nearly 15 years”. They are demanding fair pay and better working conditions from NMC and private operators. When questioned about their salaries, the bus drivers shared that they earn 12,000 per month, while their contractors allegedly make double that amount.
Ambedkar also voiced concerns about the upcoming elections, noting that the implementation of the model code of conduct in the coming days could delay fulfilling the demands of the striking conductors and drivers. “I’m a bit worried that once the code is in effect, it may hinder our movement,” Ambedkar said.
Presenting it as a solution, Ambedkar suggested an income tax raid be carried out on the NMC Commissioner. “The simplest approach is to document everything and hand it over to the income tax department for investigation. When questioned about your complaint, counter by asking why the commissioner’s position wasn’t contracted out like yours,” Ambedkar said. He also advised the bus drivers to take their vehicles home and, when confronted by officials, first ask them to explain these issues.
Ambedkar stressed, “We should learn how to fight back. We will fight, and if this protest doesn’t pan out, we will take this matter to court.”
