Clampdown on roadways staff

Chandigarh, October 27

In a clampdown on the agitating Roadways workers, the Haryana Government on Saturday suspended 138 leaders and stepped up its recruitment drive to induct new drivers and conductors and restore the bus services in the state, crippled for the past 12 days. 

Among the recruits were two women, who have already joined duty. Nirmala worked on the Sirsa-Ellenabad route. Sharmila (32), a mother of two, joined as a conductor in Rewari district. 

Employees’ union leaders alleged several members of the joint action committee had been rounded up. An official source put the figure at 15. 

The Ambala police arrested Inderjeet Singh Badhana, state president of the Roadways Employees Union  under ESMA. Gagandeep Singh, GM said he misbehaved with the police and was  arrested."

CM Manohar Lal Khattar’s media adviser Rajiv Jain said: "At least 30 drivers, 10 conductors, 10 mechanics, 20 regular employees and 10 probationers have reported back on duty. Also, 136 drivers and conductors and two clerks have been suspended under ESMA.”

He said a list of 905 candidates, to be inducted as conductors under the outsourcing policy, was ready. “They will be appointed soon.” — TNS