BEST Workers Union Urges CM to Merge Undertaking Budget With BMC's Main Budget

The BEST Workers Union has urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to merge the BEST Undertaking's budget with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's main budget, reviving a demand first made in 2016. The union welcomed a recent statement from BEST Committee Chairperson Trishna Vishwash Rao supporting the move.

The union said a major strike was launched in 2017 over the issue, later withdrawn after then Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray assured the merger would be pursued. Resolutions supporting the merger were passed by both the BEST Committee and BMC General Body. However, the union alleged the civic administration sent a proposal in 2019 to the Urban Development Department seeking cancellation of the merger resolution.

BEST Workers Union General Secretary Shashank Rao said the merger is necessary for financial stability, job protection, and reliable public transport services. The union has appealed to the Chief Minister to direct early integration of BEST's budget with the BMC's main budget.