# DTC contractual driver strike continues, govt mulls insurance and rest days 2026-09-26T05:41:31+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets Delhi transport minister Pankaj Kumar Singh met bus operators on Friday to discuss welfare measures for contractual DTC drivers, including health and accident insurance, four rest days a month, and performance-linked incentives. Times of India reports the meeting followed an agitation that began on September 15, disrupting bus services for over 10 days. Livemint adds that Singh directed operators to examine feasibility within existing labour laws and concession agreements, and asked for point-wise action-taken reports. The striking drivers, employed by private companies under the Cluster Bus Scheme, demand a hike in daily wages, basic dearness allowance, medical facilities, and overtime. Livemint reports drivers say they are paid Rs 862 per day, with Rs 60 going to provident fund, leaving Rs 802 as daily wage. The DTC Karamachari Ekta Union has warned of a complete 'kaam band' protest from September 28 if demands are not met. ## Indian Opinion Analysis Both sources cover the meeting neutrally, with Times of India leading on the welfare measures discussed and Livemint detailing the union's strike threat and wage figures. The critical framing difference is emphasis: Times of India foregrounds the government's proposed solutions, while Livemint gives equal weight to the drivers' stated grievances and the pending DA file. The balanced reading is that the government has offered steps but no immediate wage hike, and the union has set a deadline of September 28 for escalation. Watch whether operators deliver a concrete proposal before that date. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) Leads with government welfare measures, no editorialising - livemint.com (neutral report) Straight reporting of meeting and union demands, no slant Tags: contractual drivers, Delhi, DTC, Pankaj Kumar Singh Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/dtc-strike-continues-as-govt-mulls-insurance-rest-days-for-drivers/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/dtc-strike-continues-as-govt-mulls-insurance-rest-days-for-drivers/#story-in-brief