8 schemes to mark Balasaheb’s birthday

As a mark of respect to Shiv Sena supremo late Bal Thackeray, state transport minister Diwakar Raote has announced eight schemes, including air-conditioned bus services in the name of the leader. These services will start from Saturday, the birth anniversary of party founder.

Mr Raote said on Friday, ‘Shiv Shashi’ bus service would ply on several routes across the state through Maharashtra State Transport Corporation (MSRTC). At least 500 new air-conditioned buses will be added into the fleet, he said.

“Amenities such as Wi-Fi service, GPS, mobile-laptop chargers, 9 inch LED screen, bed-sheet, hand-towel, pillow, blanket would be provided to passengers. However, the fares will be moderate,” Mr Raote said and added that the buses were expected to be added to the fleet by April this year. “We are planning to make available the prime service for Marathwada, Vidarbha and Konkan regions also,” he said. He also announced increased compensation for ST accident victims. The kin of dead would now get Rs 10 lakh, the permanently disabled would get `5 lakh, partially-disabled would get Rs 2.5 lakh and temporarily disabled would get Rs 1 lakh, he said. “This is an insurance scheme and we shall charge Rs 1 as surcharge on every ticket,” the minister said.

The other schemes are: every girl child of an MSRTC employee would be given Rs 1 lakh on her 21st birthday, a super speciality hospital in Pune for MSRTC employees, widows of farmers to be given auto rickshaw licences as a special case and provided with 100 per cent loan to buy an auto rickshaw and an automobile engineering college would be started with certain seats reserved for kin of MSRTC employees. Mr Raote also announced five per cent reservation for women in giving out auto rickshaw licences.