While on one hand Banerjee is mulling to go for a fourth hike in power tariff since she took office on May 20, 2011, the state is also looking to offer voluntary retirement schemes for employees aged above 55 in the ailing state-run transport corporations, to rationalise the workforce.
According to an official in the state power department, the government has given nod to the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company to approach the West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission for a further tariff hike and a proposal has been moved in this regard.
While the first increase was from Rs 4.27 per unit to Rs 4.71 per unit, for which the previous government was responsible for, the Banerjee government has allowed it to increase from Rs 4.71 to Rs 5.07 and then from Rs 5.07 to Rs 5.53 in January and February this year.
According to sources, it may now be increased to Rs 5.87.
On the other hand, the transport department which is running in losses is mulling VRS for employees aged above 55 in transport corporations.
"There are about 5,000 employees aged above 55. The proposal is to offer VRS to them. Honestly, there is additional workforce.
"Even if they take new people, that will be cost effective as their salaries will be much lower," an official in the state transport department said.
In response to a query on the same, state transport minister Madan Mitra, "Yes, we are looking at all kind of possibilities to make the corporations self-reliant."
However, he did not comment, whether the retirement age will permanently be lowered to 55
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