BEST staffers who don't report to work to face action

MUMBAI: While a group of drivers and conductors of BEST have been ferrying essential workers for the last ten days, they are unable to get weekly-offs as a section of other drivers and conductors are reluctant to replace them. This group is reluctant to report to work as they want to be part of 21-day lockdown at home.
Facing this unusual problem, BEST general manager Surendrakumar Bagde issued a diktat over the weekend-that memos will be served to every driver and conductor who shirks his responsibility, and he will face strict departmental action.
The drivers and conductors who report to work will be incentivised with a special daily allowance of Rs 300 for ferrying the essential workers from far-flung areas to their place of work in Mumbai. The essential staff includes medical and paramedical staffers, policemen, civic officials, among others.
The BEST Workers' Union has strongly objected to the issuing of memos to get drivers and conductors to work. "In these times of Covid-19, they cannot just have such negative work practice and issue memos to get drivers/conductors. Instead, they should be boosting their morale," said Shashank Rao, leader of the largest union.