Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has shared a video of his journey in a Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus. Rahul also spoke to the bus conductor, driver and other staff. He simply asked the staff about their salaries and learned about the problems. On Monday, Rahul attacked the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi and cited the problems of bus staff. Rahul said that drivers and conductors are forced to live in the darkness of uncertainty. Home guards, who are continuously deployed to protect passengers, have been without pay for 6 months. While talking to Rahul Gandhi, the DTC staff said that we get around Rs 816 per day. This has other deductions including PF. We do not get rest during the month. There is no holiday even in festivals. If we take any leave, the money is deducted. A driver said that our salary is determined according to kilometers. Have to work for 8 hours. It could be an hour or two more. How to raise a family without a salary? Rahul asked, how can we help you? On that DTC staff said that we are not getting salary for 5 months. How to pay the house rent and support the family? Children cannot study. Even buses do not run properly. The state government puts the ball in the centre's court and the center excuses it as a state issue. There are excuses for not providing funds. Now we have been asked to wait another two months. We are also told to go to any leader you want. Nothing can happen. It is being said that the salary will not be received before October. We have been treated like this and now the new recruits are going to be treated like this. Contracts are renewed every year A bus conductor working on contract said, Our contract is renewed every year. If the duty is less then the contract is not renewed. They are asked to sit at home. We should be made permanent. There should be equal pay and equal work. This is our demand. Where to go now at the age of 50? A home guard said, our question is that if citizenship is guaranteed, then why is there no job guarantee? Most of the privatization is happening. What will be the future of our children because of this? Waiting for salary since last 6 months. This is the reason why 24 Home Guard personnel lost their lives due to shock. Someone died of a heart attack. Training is provided every six months. While we are already trending. After training, he was recruited into the Home Guard. As of now 10,285 have been recruited and we have been given time till January 2025. Our age is more than 50 years. Where to go at this age? Who will give us jobs? A woman driver said, equal work and equal pay should be given. Rahul Gandhi asked that, who is getting the benefit of privatization? In this regard, DTC employees said that businessmen are benefiting from this. Everyone wants to speak, but people are afraid to express their thoughts. Rahul asked that, are you guys able to save money? On that DTC staff said, absolutely not. The employees said we have a one year contract. We fear being fired at any moment. What did Rahul Gandhi write in the post on X? Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wrote on Twitter, “A few days ago I had the pleasant experience of traveling by bus in Delhi and interacted with DTC employees to get information about their daily routine and problems. No social security, no steady income and no permanent job. Contractual labor has taken on a greater responsibility until forced. Home Guards, who are constantly deployed to protect passengers, have gone unpaid for the past 6 months while drivers and conductors are forced to live in the dark of uncertainty. Suffering from this neglect, like government employees across the country, DTC employees are also living under the constant threat of privatization. These are the people who run India, facilitating the journey of millions of passengers every day, but what they have received in return for their dedication is injustice. The demands are clear – equal work, equal pay, complete justice. With a heavy heart and a sad heart, they ask the government, if we are strong citizens, why are jobs raw?
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
Rahul Gandhi travels in DTC bus, VIDEO: Employees recount problems, say- No salary for 5 months, fear of job loss
