New Delhi (PTI): Delhi Chief Minister Atishi announced on Monday that all Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) drivers will be trained to operate electric buses as part of the city’s plan to transition its entire bus fleet to electric vehicles.

She also assured that senior drivers, particularly assistant ticket inspectors, would be given priority for employment in the new electric bus fleet.

Addressing a press conference, Atishi stated that the Delhi government had agreed to several key demands made by DTC workers, who had recently gone on strike to protest their working conditions.

"DTC bus services play a crucial role in Delhi’s transportation system. There are 4,500 contractual drivers and 17,850 contractual conductors in DTC. Recently, they went on strike. We listened to their demands, which are absolutely justified. I want to thank them for ending the strike and responding to our appeal after two days of protests. We are working on addressing their demands," she said.

One of the primary issues raised by the workers was the transfer of female DTC employees stationed at the Sarojini Nagar Pink Bus Depot.

Atishi said that the government had resolved this issue by transferring the workers back to their original depots, addressing a major point of contention that led to the strike.

Another significant concern was the workers' request for postings closer to their homes. Atishi explained that the Delhi government had introduced a new policy aimed at rationalising duty stations for drivers and conductors.

"An online form will be created so that all drivers can provide their details, and an online list will be released to make the process more transparent," she said. The new policy aims to ensure that workers are assigned to depots nearer to their homes, she added.

In response to the workers' demand for improved compensation, the Delhi government has given in-principle approval for a proposal to increase the salaries of contractual drivers and conductors, the CM said.

This proposal will include Dearness Allowance (DA) and grade pay, which were previously not part of their salary, she explained.

"Contractual drivers currently receive a daily wage of Rs 843, totaling Rs 21,918 per month. They did not receive DA or grade pay. They have requested a consolidated amount instead of daily wages,” she added.

The government has approved the proposal, and within the next one to two months, workers will begin receiving salaries according to their grade pay, Atishi said.

"As per the proposal, contractual conductors will see their salary rise to Rs 29,250 from Rs 21,900, and contractual drivers will receive Rs 32,918, up from Rs 21,918," Atishi stated.

The cost of this salary increase will be Rs 222 crore, which will be borne by the Delhi government, she said.

The government is also in the process of finalising a proposal to make these contractual workers permanent in the near future, Atishi added.

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Bhopal/Indore, May 13 (PTI): Madhya Pradesh Minister and BJP leader Vijay Shah has sparked a major controversy with objectionable comments that appeared to be directed at Col Sofia Qureshi, whom he tried to project as a "sister of terrorists."

Under severe flak, Shah said if anyone is hurt by his statement, he is ready to apologise ten times, adding that he respects Colonel Qureshi more than his sister.

The Congress has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sack Shah from the Madhya Pradesh cabinet.

Colonel Qureshi had conducted regular press briefings, sharing details of the 'Operation Sindoor' launched by Indian armed forces to strike terrorists, joined by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.

"Those people (terrorists) who had wiped out the sindoor (vermilion) of our sisters (in the Pahalgam terror attack)..We avenged these 'kate-pite' people by sending their sister to destroy them," Shah said.

"They (terrorists) killed our Hindu brothers by making them remove their clothes. PM Modi ji responded by sending their (terrorists') sister in an Army plane to strike them in their houses. They (terrorists) made our sisters widows, so Modiji sent the sister of their community to strip them and teach them a lesson", the BJP leader said while addressing a gathering in Ramkunda village near Indore.

He said, "Revenge was taken for the honour of our country (India), respect, and for the (slain) husbands of our sisters by sending a sister from your (terrorists') community to Pakistan".

The tribal welfare minister clarified that his remarks should not be construed otherwise.

Shah's remarks drew wide-scale condemnation, with Congress demanding his immediate dismissal from the MP cabinet.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said Shah, who made 'derogatory' remarks in reference to Colonel Sofia Qureshi, should be dismissed immediately.

"A minister of the BJP government of Madhya Pradesh has made a very derogatory, shameful and cheap remark about our brave daughter Colonel Sofia Qureshi. The terrorists of Pahalgam wanted to divide the country, but the country was united during the entire 'Operation Sindoor' to give a befitting reply to the terrorists," Kharge posted on X.

He alleged that the BJP-RSS harbours an anti-women mentality.

"First, the wife of the naval officer martyred in Pahalgam was trolled on social media, then the daughter of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri was harassed, and now the BJP ministers are making such indecent comments about our brave woman Sophia Qureshi," Kharge said and appealed to PM Modi to immediately sack Shah.

Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari shared the video of Shah on X and asked whether the BJP agrees with the minister's "low thinking"?

The MP Congress Committee alleged that Shah's "indecent' and hate-filled" statement is not just a personal attack, but an open attack on India's military dignity, national unity, and women's honour.

Amid the raging controversy, the BJP's Madhya Pradesh general secretary Hitanand Sharma summoned Shah to the state headquarters in Bhopal.

According to sources, Sharma reprimanded the minister, who also met the state BJP president, Vishnu Dutt Sharma.

Speaking to reporters, Shah sought to attribute the intemperate remarks to his "disturbed" state of mind in view of the brutal killing of innocent people in Pahalgam by terrorists.

He claimed many members of his family have a military background and many were martyred.

"Sister Sophia has brought glory to India by rising above caste and religion. She is more respected than our own sister. I salute her for her service to the nation.

"We cannot even think of insulting her in our dreams. Still, if my words have hurt society and religion, then I am ready to apologise ten times,'' he added.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Manoj Shukla and the party workers blackened the nameplate of Shah at his bungalow and raised slogans seeking his resignation.