GUWAHATI: The Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) has failed to pay the salaries of the regular employees of the Corporation since the month of September. The ASTC is a state government-owned road Transport Corporation of Assam, providing bus services within the State and its adjoining states.
The non-payment of salaries has added to employees’ woes, making it difficult for them to run their daily expenses.
Speaking to G Plus, an employee of the ASTC who did not wish to be named said, “We have not received our dues since the month of September. It’s been two months now without our salaries. It becomes tough for me to run my family that too during COVID times. I’m managing the family expenses from the little savings that I have. I have talked to the State Transport Workers Association regarding the issue and they have assured me to look after the issue and solve it at the earliest”.
Talking to G Plus on condition of anonymity, another ASTC employee said, “I am a regular employee of the Transport Department. It has now become difficult for me to manage the home expenses as I have not received our dues since September. Also since these are festival times, it has added to my woes. When asked regarding our dues, the State Transport Workers Association has been telling us that we have taken up the matter with the higher authorities and that our issues shall be sorted out very soon, but it’s been two months now”.
Meanwhile, Secretary of the State Transport Association Kanak Bharali stated, “The dues of the “contractual” employees of the ASTC have been cleared. Only salaries of the “regular” employees are due since September. The files have been already sent to the CM’s office. The Government might be busy since bye-poll elections are round the corner. We are hopeful that soon after the elections are over the issue will be sorted out. Also, the revenue collection of the Department has been hit hard because of the pandemic. By November 1/2 we are hopeful that all the regular employees shall get their salaries”.
The Managing Director (MD) of Assam State Transport Corporation Rahul Chandra Das told G Plus, "The contractual employees’ salaries for the month of September have been paid, only the salaries of the regular employees are due. The files have been already sent to the CM's office. Hopefully, the salaries will be released within a few days".