Roadways union to file objections to bus hiring

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 14

Just about a fortnight after Haryana Roadways employees agreed to end their 18-day-long strike, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday asked their union to come out with their objections to the Haryana Government’s decision of hiring 700 buses from private operators under the kilometre scheme.

As a petition filed in public interest on the issue came up for resumed hearing, the Bench of Chief Justice Krishna Murari and Justice Arun Palli verbally asked the union to spell out their grievances.

Speaking for the Bench, Chief Justice Murari asserted that resorting to strike was not acceptable as it was causing inconvenience to its own people. Mahatma Gandhi’s Civil Disobedience Movement could be understood as it was directed against the British. But here, the movement was against our own people.

Taking note of the union’s plea for a week’s time to submit their complaints in writing, the Bench adjourned the hearing of the matter to November 29. Before parting with the order, the Bench reiterated its directions of not initiating coercive action against the employees involved in the strike.

The state, in the meantime, submitted a status report with details of a meeting between the government and the members of the coordination committees of different unions. It was stated that employees would not be harassed for participating in the strike.

The union officials were told that decision has not been taken by the government to privatise or minimise the Transport Department. Tenders had been invited for procurement of 667 buses, including 367 ordinary, 150 mini and 150 air-conditioned buses, to increase the fleet of buses of the Transport Department.