Haryana Roadways employees go on strike, passengers harried

Tribune News Service

Karnal, March 17

Bus services across the state remained paralysed on Tuesday as employees of the Haryana Roadways went on a one-day strike to protest against new time-table for private buses and granting of long route permits to private transporters.

According to reports from various parts of the state, Roadways buses remained off the road, causing inconvenience to commuters.

The strike call was given by the Haryana Roadways Employees coordination committee late last night and all roadways employee unions extended their support to it.

Employees demonstrated on the premises of bus stands and raised slogan against the government. They also staged dharna and demanded the withdrawal of the new time-table and order of granting long route permits.

The decision on today’s strike was taken late last night following the issuance of new time-table and granting long route permit by the government, said Anil Kumar, district president, Haryana Roadways All-Workers Union.

“The government has betrayed roadways employees by issuing permits to private players, which would not be tolerated,” said Ram Niwas Sharma, president, Haryana Sanyukt Karamchari Sangh.

The government’s decision would reduce the number of government vehicles and eligible youths would not get jobs, said Ishwar Chand, secretary, Haryana Roadways Mahasangh.

Sarbat Singh Punia, president of the Haryana Roadway Workers Union affiliated with Sarva Karamchari Sangh, alleged that the state government was trying to demolish state transport system by issuing long route permits to private transporters. Punia said decision of today’s strike taken only last night after the government suddenly issued new time-table under transport policy of 2013. Punia said union leaders will meet in the evening to decide whether to continue with the strike tomorrow or to keep it a one-day token strike.

Meanwhile, the strike caused inconvenience to commuters who were seen looking for other means of transportation.