Mumbai: BMC calls off strike move

The strike by a section of employees of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for a  pay hike was called off on Tuesday evening following "positive assurance" on the issue from the Maharashtra government, bringing relief to citizens affected by the stir.

Employees of the civic body, India's richest with an annual budget of Rs 21,000 crore, owing allegiance to Municipal Mazdoor Union headed by NCP leader Sharad Rao, went on strike on Monday demanding wages as per the Sixth Pay Commission.

The agitation affected essential services such as water supply, health, Fire Brigade and conservancy.

"We discussed the (salary) issue with deputy chief minister at Mantralaya (secretariat) for over two hours. He also spoke to Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on the issue," Rao told mediapersons, announcing the strike was called off after "positive assurance" from the government.

The absence of nurses and ward boys at municipal hospitals owing to the stir had caused hardship to patients.

Industries Minister Narayan Rane, had said Rao was holding Mumbai to "ransom" with "the unwarranted strike".