Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday urged Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd (KTC) staffers to avoid going on strike next month and assured that govt would consider all their grievances.“The salary of contractual staff would usually be a fixed salary for seven years. Henceforth, we will implement annual increments so that they get salary hikes every year. In addition, after they complete their contract, we will absorb them as permanent staffers,” he said. He also made assurances related to EPFO and accident insurance.Transport minister Mauvin Godinho said KTC must prioritise public service and avoid a strike.“We have a fleet of diesel buses and EVs operating across Goa. This is not a profit-making organisation. We are here to provide service, and our endeavour is to continuously enhance services. We have even added buses to industrial estate routes, especially for women who work late shifts. Despite rising fuel prices, we have not hiked fares. Our EVs are the most comfortable. It is due to these factors that people prefer KTC buses,” Godinho said.At the event, KTC staffers said they need written assurance from the CM that their demands would be fulfilled, or they would go on strike.TOI reported on Oct 17 that the KTC Drivers and Allied Employees Association served a strike notice on KTC management announcing an indefinite strike from midnight on Nov 12, over unresolved grievances and long-pending demands. The proposed strike will involve all staff and workmen, including electric bus drivers and allied employees engaged in KTCL bus operations.Key demands include scrapping the new electronic ticketing machine (ETM) system, regularising drivers and conductors with five years of service, clearing pending Seventh Pay Commission arrears, and restoring PF contributions and arrears.
