MSRTC Worker Dies By Suicide Due To Financial Strains, Blames Thackeray Government In Suicide Note

(This story was first published in Maharashtra Schedules of November 9, 2020)


A MSRTC employee, who was in financial crisis, died from suicide at his residence in Jalgaon.

The incident came to light Monday morning. The man allegedly hanged himself at his Jalgaon residence.

Manoj Anil Chowdhary (30), who worked at the Jalgaon warehouse, has left a suicide note in which he says he took a drastic step due to low pay and irregularities at ST Corporation.

He said that the working methods of ST Corporation and the Thackeray government (Shiv Sena) are responsible for the drastic step he took.

“My family has nothing to do with my suicide. The ST organization should try to bring my PF and LIC (money) to my family,” he urged in the suicide note.

After the incident, MIDC police rushed to the scene and took his body to the district hospital for autopsy. Carriers from the ST union office also came to the district hospital.

Meanwhile, ST workers across the state have been organizing agitation demanding payment of arrears for the past two months, arrears in October payments and arrears in the shortage subsidy.

MSRTC workers were working in extremely adverse conditions during the COVID-19 period. However, there is great dissatisfaction among workers, as they are not paid for the work they have done.

On October 30, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) petitioned the state government for Rs 3.6 billion for the payment of salaries and other essential expenses. The MSRTC needs Rs 292 crore per month to pay the salaries.

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