BEST Union refutes allegations

Mumbai, Oct 15 (UNI) The joint General secretary of the BEST workers Union, Udaykumar Ambonkar, today refuted the allegations of the BEST management and said that the Union does not have property worth Rs 200 crore.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr Ambonkar said, ''The property owned by the Union is used for the welfare of the working and the retired staff and is not worth Rs 200 crore as alleged in a letter by V V Vishwasrao, a senior official of the Undertaking.'' The letter added that the Undertaking is making losses and will pay bonus to the workers once profits are made.

Mr Ambonkar said that many of the government agencies and departments owe money to the BEST Undertaking to the tune of Rs 139 crore, and if this money is recovered, many issues including bonus will be solved.

Mr Ambomkar added that the Union will have talks with the ruling Shiv Sena- BJP leaders on the bonus issue.

A few days back, BEST general manager Uttam Khobragade, while announcing the budget, had said that the Undertaking is making losses.

UNI