Political thaw? Pratap Sarnaik likely to take over MSRTC chairmanship

Mumbai: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has agreed to make Transport Minister and Shiv Sena leader Pratap Sarnaik the new chairman of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), it is learnt. Although the official order has not been issued yet, the decision marks a warming of relations between Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the Shiv Sena leader.

Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation

At the same time, The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is losing Rs 3 crore every day in the form of fare concessions offered to women and senior citizens, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said recently. In the future, the state government has chosen not to give any more travel concessions on ST buses. At an event in Dharashiv on Feb 21, Sarnaik put emphasis on the cost burden owing to the 50 per cent discount for women and the 75 per cent concession for elderly people. According to him. If we stick to such subsidy, it would become very hard to run the corporation. Thus, we can't think in terms of offering any more concession."