Action ordered against staff taking part in roadways strike

CHANDIGARH: Taking a strict view of the two-day strike by Haryana Roadways employees causing inconvenience to the public, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday directed the Transport Department to suspend employees and officers who are participating in this strike.

Private bus operators have a field day as Haryana Roadways employees continue their strike in Rohtak on Wednesday. Photo: Manoj Dhaka

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 17

Taking a strict view of the two-day strike by Haryana Roadways employees causing inconvenience to the public, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday directed the Transport Department to suspend employees and officers who are participating in this strike.

A decision was taken in the review meeting to suspend without issuance of any show-cause notice the drivers who were on probation and participated in the strike.

Similarly, 252 drivers who were on contract under Outsourcing Policy–II and joined the strike would also be removed from service from Wednesday.

The Chief Minister also took action against the officers and ordered suspension of the General Manager of Palwal and Works Manager of Bahadurgarh. He also ordered inquiry against the officers who indirectly participated in this strike.

Besides this, a decision was taken to suspend the newly appointed clerks who were on probation period and participated in this strike.

During the review meeting, it was decided that an advertisement would be released to invite applications to appoint 930 conductors and 500 drivers under Outsourcing Policy–II.

Transport Minister, Krishan Lal Panwar; Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Rajesh Khullar; Additional Chief Secretary, Transport Department, Dhanpat Singh, were also present during the meeting.

Meanwhile, the Haryana Roadways workers union decided to extend the strike by two days even as Dhanpat Singh said there could not be any negotiations or compromise on introducing private buses.

The union, during an emergency meeting in Kaithal, decided to extend the ‘chakka jam’ to October 18 and 19 while criticising the government for its decision to impose ESMA and act against employees on strike.

Union leaders Harinarayan Sharma and Sarbat Punia said instead of reaching out to the protesting employees, the government was proceeding against them and termination of service was an attempt to crush the agitation.