Haryana roadways buses remained off road for the third consecutive day on Thursday causing inconvenience to the commuters across the state.
The roadways employees unions protesting against the State Government’s decision to hire 700 private buses, demanded its withdrawal and threatened to go on indefinite strike.
The roadways employees union had on Wednesday announced the extension of their strike by another two days, despite Essential Services Maintenance Act in place and the State Government ordering suspension of several workers.
The roadways union leaders claimed that at least 3,800 buses out of a fleet of 4,100 remained off roads on Thursday.
The government plied buses at some places and services of drivers and conductors were sought from other government departments including the police. At few places in the state, policemen in uniform were seen driving the roadways buses.
The Chief Minister Manohar Lal on Thursday held a meeting with Transport Department to review the situation and issued directions to take strict action against the protesting employees. Transport Minister Krishan Lal Panwar said that the State Government has decided to take the services of buses of private schools,
polytechnics, engineering colleges, nursing colleges, other education institutions, factories and other companies across the state. Since next three days from Friday to Sunday will be holidays in most of the institutions, it has been decided to ply these buses for the convenience of public during the festive season, he said.
“The regional transport offices have been issued directions to coordinate with these institutions in their areas accordingly. We will pay them Rs 30 per km for their services, “ he added.
The Minister said that we are ready to hold talks with the roadways unions but maintained that the decision of hiring of 700 private buses will not be withdrawn.
"We had on Wednesday extended the strike till Friday. We will wait for government's response and decide our next move accordingly," said Subhash Lamba, General Secretary, Sarv Karamchari Sangh, Haryana.
The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) has also hit out at the Haryana Government on the roadways' strike issue. The road transport workers are fighting to retain the road transport in public sector for the benefit of the common people, Secretary, AITUC, Sukumar Damle, said in a statement.
Damle alleged that "the BJP State Governments are hell bent on privatizing road transport sector, but are facing resolute opposition from the workers." view of the commuters' woes, Chief Minister Manohar Lal had on Wednesday ordered suspension of employees on probation and officers participating in the protest.
The State Government has also decided to make immediate appointment of 930 conductors and 500 drivers.
There are about 19,000 employees in Haryana Roadways, which has a fleet of more than 4000 buses in which nearly 12 lakh passengers travel daily.
The Transport officials have said that the ongoing strike is causing a loss of around Rs 8-9 crore to the state roadways every day.
