The Maharashtra govt announced a ₹6,000 Diwali bonus for 85,000 MSRTC employees, along with a ₹12,500 festive advance for eligible staff. The government will also pay ₹65 crore monthly to clear salary arrears from 2020-24 pay hikes. Officials emphasised employee welfare amid heavy rains and outlined plans to strengthen MSRTC financially through revenue-boosting initiatives.