Photo Courtesy: The Bridge Chronicles 

Pimpri: The employees of the Regional Transport Office (RTO) on Friday (September 27) withdrew their indefinite strike over various demands after a positive decision was made.

Work came to a standstill for three days due to the strike. Now, the work will be conducted smoothly and citizens will not face any inconvenience.

Deputy RTO Rahul Jadhav said, “Our employees were on a strike for various demands. A positive decision has been made on their demands. Therefore, the strike has been suspended. The staff is back to work, which is being conducted smoothly.”

The State Transport Department is focusing on providing its services online. Though most tasks are completed online, citizens still have to submit documents personally in the office. Many times, it is mandatory to remain present personally, along with vehicle documents. Hundreds of people visit the RTO to get new permission, passing of vehicle or transfer of ownership, etc. 

However, the staff at the RTO went on strike from Tuesday (September 24) to press for their pending demands. Thus processing of various documents stopped and citizens had to suffer. Residents from Khed, Junnar, Ambegaon and Maval visit the Pimpri-Chinchwad RTO for their work. Many were unaware about the strike and had to go back without collecting documents.

The RTO staff’s demands included that they should only be transferred to the four offices falling under the RTO, Pune. The transfer policy should be cancelled that they could be shifted to Pune, Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur under the Pune Revenue Division. Pending promotions should be granted immediately. The Kalaskar Committee recommendations should be implemented.

A positive discussion was held over the demands with the union office-bearers at the RTO. The service entry rules for posts from senior clerk to office superintendent will be finalised by October 30, 2024. Till then, qualified employees will be promoted. The policy of transfer within the revenue division has been cancelled. Transfers will be affected within the 15 departments as earlier. 

The indefinite strike was withdrawn after the administration agreed to other demands. The staff joined work from Friday (September 27). Work is being conducted smoothly, said RTO officials.