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BEST union can’t bring city to standstill, says Bombay High Court

BEST union can’t bring city to standstill, says Bombay High Court

Mumbaikars suffered for the seventh straight day on Monday as an indefinite strike called by the BEST employees' union showed no signs of letting up. On Monday, the Bombay High Court adjourned hearing on a petition challenging the strike, and posted the PIL for Tuesday.

A division bench of Chief Justice Naresh Patil and Justice NM Jamdar tried to pacify both warring parties. "Strike is not a remedy. There are different forums available to raise your demands. Calling a strike should have been the last resort. In a developing country like ours, you cannot bring the city to a standstill," the bench said.

The bench also asked the BMC to provide ad-hoc relief by meeting the employees' demands for upgradation of their pay scale, though the civic body was opposed to it. Senior advocate Anil Sakhare, appearing for the civic body, said, "The state-appointed committee is agreeing to consider the issue of upgrading pay grade on top priority. But first let them withdraw the strike."

 

Sakhare added that if the demand is met, it would impose a financial burden of over Rs 500 crore on the BMC. All authorities, including the BMC and BEST's management sought directions from the court to declare the strike as illegal, relying on past judgments. Senior advocate Darius Khambata, appearing on behalf of BEST, said, "This is blackmail and complete lawlessness. This (strike) is like putting a gun to our heads to meet their demands. However worthy their case, it cannot operate like this."

"Mumbaikars are losing sympathy for the employees. By going on strike, they have made their point. They should now withdraw," advocate general Ashutosh Kumbhakoni added.

Advocate Neeta Karnik, appearing for the union, told the court that a BEST driver earns around Rs 15,000 driving a heavy vehicle, while a BMC Grade IV employee who works for a few hours a day earns a minimum of Rs 22,000. "Is this not disparity," Karnik asked.

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