*Historic Decision by AAP Govt: Salaries of DTC contract drivers and conductors to be increased; Instead of Daily Allowance will receive basic pay, Grade Pay, and DA on monthly basis
*Currently, DTC contract drivers and conductors receive a daily allowance; after salary hike, contract drivers will receive ₹32,918 per month instead of ₹21,918, and contract conductors will receive ₹29,250 per month: CM Atishi
*Salary hike will incur an additional cost of ₹222 crore, which will be fully borne by Delhi Government: CM Atishi
*Contract drivers operating CNG buses in DTC will also be deployed in electric buses; training will be provided for operating e-buses
NEW DELHI - 9th December 2024-In a historic move, the AAP government has decided to increase the salaries of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) contractual drivers and conductors. They will now receive monthly payments comprising Basic Pay, Grade Pay, and Dearness Allowance (DA) instead of the current daily allowance system.
Sharing details, Chief Minister Atishi said, "Currently, DTC contractual drivers earn ₹21,918 per month. With the revised structure, they will now receive ₹32,918 per month, while conductors will earn ₹29,250. The salary hike will cost ₹222 crore annually, and this entire expenditure will be borne by the Delhi Government."
CM Atishi stated, "The AAP government is committed to providing better facilities for DTC contract drivers and conductors." She added that the Delhi Government will bear the full cost of this salary increase. "Contract drivers currently working in DTC's CNG buses will also be deployed in electric buses and will receive training to operate e-buses," she said.
Additionally, under the new policy, DTC drivers and conductors can apply for transfers to depots near their homes through an online application.
CM Atishi remarked, "DTC buses are the lifeline of Delhi. They play a significant role in the economy of the city. Every morning, people commute to work from different parts of the city, covering long distances. Children go to schools and colleges. DTC’s bus services play an essential role in keeping the city running."
She continued, "Thousands of contract employees work as DTC bus drivers and conductors. Currently, there are 4,564 contract drivers and 17,850 contract conductors at DTC. They had many demands regarding their working conditions, and they even went on strike a few days ago. During the strike, Delhi Government held extensive talks with them. The drivers and conductors presented many demands to us."
CM Atishi said, "Many of these demands were entirely justified. I want to thank the DTC drivers and conductors for believing in our assurances, ending their strike, and resuming DTC services to ensure the economy of Delhi operates smoothly. The Delhi Government has fulfilled many of the demands of DTC drivers."
CM Atishi shared, "The primary demand that led to the strike was the creation of a Pink Depot in Sarojini Nagar. Many female drivers and conductors were unhappy with being transferred from various depots to a depot far from their homes in Sarojini Nagar. These female drivers and conductors wanted to work at a depot closer to home. The very next day after the meeting, on November 20, an order was issued transferring those female drivers back to their preferred depots."
She added, "Another demand from the drivers and conductors was that their postings were often very far from their homes. They requested postings near their homes. In response, DTC has issued a new policy aimed at transferring drivers and conductors to depots close to their residences. A transparent online application will be created, allowing drivers and conductors to specify their place of residence, and an online list will be generated to facilitate posting near their homes."
CM Atishi noted, "DTC contract drivers expressed concerns about their job security as the entire bus fleet transitions to electric. They were worried about their positions once CNG buses are phased out. To address this, two measures are being implemented: Contract drivers who are promoted to Assistant Ticket Inspectors (ATI) will be given priority for these positions."
She said, "All contract drivers will receive training to operate electric buses. As electric buses are added to DTC's fleet, contract drivers will be given opportunities to drive them. A complete training schedule has been prepared to ensure that all DTC contract drivers are trained in driving electric buses."
CM Atishi stated, "A major demand from DTC drivers and conductors was the daily payment they received – ₹843 per day, amounting to approximately ₹21,918 per month. They also did not receive DA or other allowances as per the grade pay. Drivers and conductors demanded a monthly payment instead of a daily allowance. As Minister in charge and DTC Chairman, I have today given in-principle approval for this proposal."
She added, "This proposal will now be sent to the Lieutenant Governor, and I am confident that within the next 1-2 months, DTC drivers and conductors will have their salaries increased from ₹21,918 to a grade-pay-based salary. Conductors will be placed at Pay-Grade Level 2 with a basic pay of ₹19,200 and grade pay of ₹1,900, bringing their monthly salary to ₹29,250. Drivers will be at Pay Matrix Level 3, with a basic pay of ₹21,700 and grade pay of ₹2,000, making their monthly salary ₹32,918. Like other employees, they will also receive DA."
CM Atishi said, "The total cost of this will be ₹222 crore, which will be borne by the Delhi Government. As the Delhi Government has always been committed to providing better facilities to all contract employees, this expenditure will be covered by the Delhi Government. The proposal will be passed in the upcoming cabinet meeting."
CM Atishi concluded, "I am confident that just as the Delhi Government is fulfilling its responsibility towards DTC drivers and conductors, they too will fulfill their responsibility towards the people of Delhi and continue to operate DTC, the city's lifeline, with the same dedication as before."
-------