PRTC workers raise slew of demands

Bathinda, July 25

Members of the PRTC Workers Union, All-India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), PRTC Motor Mazdur Centre of Indian Trade Unions, PRTC Employees Union, INTUC, PRTC SC/BC Employees Union and PRTC Retired Workers Bhaichara Union formed an action committee and staged protest in front of the PRTC workshop here today.

The members of the PRTC action committee blamed the state government for formulating policies that harmed the retired employees.

They demanded clearance of pensions and medical bills of the retired PRTC employees. Besides, they claimed that in 2011, the state government increased the family pension from 30 per cent to 40 percent but it was not implemented and they demanded that it should be implemented.

Their other demands included retired and working employees gratuity, medical allowance, general provident fund and leave encashment should be cleared from December 31, 2015; timely pension should be given to all retired employees of the PRTC; closure of about 240 buses running under the kilometre scheme across the state.

The employees alleged that the drivers of these buses running under the kilometre scheme were pilfering 20 litres of diesel everyday, causing losses to the PRTC, in connivance with the PRTC management.

The members of the PRTC action committee demanded that Rs 4.5 crore was supposed to be released by the government for pensions every month but from the last three months, Rs 13.5 crore has not been given to the retired employees.

Nirmal Singh Dhaliwal, central leader of the PRTC workers action committee said, “State Road Tax (SRT) is being levied by the state government but its one per cent share should be given to the PRTC. The newly recruited employees, after January 15, 2015 get basic pay and they don’t get any TA or DA, grade pay, house rent, medical allowance and other allowances. These allowances should be given to all newly recruits.”

“The transport policy has been changed thrice and ratio of the PRTC buses against the private buses has been decreased. The economically beneficial routes have been taken away from the PRTC and private buses of the Badal government have created a monopoly. These routes should be given back to the PRTC buses so that the department could be benefitted,” Dhaliwal added.

He said the union members would intensify their protest and would stage dharna in Patiala on August 11 if their demands were not met by the government. — TNS