Hry Roadways staff refuse to relent

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, October 20

Commuters remained a harried lot as the strike by employees of the Haryana Roadways entered the fifth day. 

Only a few long-route buses operated from Chandigarh and Panchkula in the morning. The worst-hit were office-goers, school and college students as auto-rickshaws charged higher rates from commuters. Sixteen buses of private schools in the district have been hired by the authorities to ferry passengers to various destinations.

Initially, commuters showed reluctance to board the buses, fearing a revolt by the protesting employees.   The authorities had to assure passengers  that Home Guards jawans would accompany them and there would be no harm to them. 

A spokesman of the Haryana Karamchari Mahasangh, Shrawan Kumar Jhangra, said employees of almost all departments had extended support to them. He said their joint action committee had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister to resolve the issue within the next two days. He said if the government failed to take any decision with regard to the “dictatorial attitude” of the Transport Department, they would  be forced to intensify their agitation, for which the state government would be responsible. 

Meanwhile, the Indian National Lok Dal  (INLD) backed the striking employees and condemned the state government. INLD spokesman Amandeep Chaudhary said the state government was trying to privatise the state roadways as it had failed to purchase new buses. He said the employees were not protesting for their own interests but trying to bring out the state government from its deep slumber as it was hell bent on privatising the Haryana Roadways. 

Sunil Kumar, president, Haryana Cooperative Transport Samiti Kalyan Sangh, said rumours were being spread on the social media that they had decided to support the protesting staff. He maintained that all 1,059 buses of the sangh would continue to ply so that people did not face any harassment. He appealed to the protesting employees to return  to work keeping in view the problems faced by people. 

Safety measures for passengers 

• Initially, commuters showed reluctance to board the buses, fearing a revolt by the staff.  The authorities had to assure them that Home Guards jawans would accompany them during the travel. 
• Only a few long-route buses operated from Chandigarh and Panchkula in the morning. 
• Sixteen buses of private schools have been hired to ferry passengers.