STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: A long last, the stage is set for the ASTC (Assam State Transport Corporation) to send some of its willing employees to VR (voluntary retirement) in phases. Downsizing ASTC's workforce is part of the sick public sector unit's effort to revive it.
The loss-making state public sector corporation has long been trying to give a golden handshake to some of its regular employees who are willing for their premature retirement. According to a plan chalked out by ASTC, it will implement the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) in phases. The corporation will give golden handshakes to 150 regular employees within this financial year.
ASTC has 1,000 regular and 2,000 contractual employees. Four hundred regular employees have applied for VRS. If the ASTC sends all 400 employees to VRS in one go, it needs around Rs 120 crore. The corporation sought Rs 120 crore from the government in its VRS proposal. However, the government allocated Rs 50 crore for the VRS of ASTC employees in the first phase. The government will give the remaining amount later, maybe by the next financial year.
It has left ASTC to opt for implementing the VRS in phases. It will send the remaining willing employees to VRS later.
After the implementation of the VRS, ASTC will offload its salary burden to a large extent.
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