Roadways’ staff booked under ESMA

Tribune Reporters
Chandigarh, October 16

Haryana Roadways employees went on a two-day strike on Tuesday to protest against a government’s decision to introduce 700 private buses. The response was partial response.

Despite the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) being in force roadways workers staged sit-ins at several depots across the state.

The ESMA prohibits strikes by employees in an essential service.

Police personnel were deployed at several bus stands to prevent any untoward incident and buses plied with police escort at some roadways depots.

“We want the government to withdraw its decision of introducing private buses in the state,” a union leader said.

In August also, employees had gone on a day-long strike to protest the government’s decision to introduce 700 private buses.

Kaithal: Passengers were put to inconvenience, as they travelled by private buses and other modes of transport. The local authorities, however, claimed that more 60 per cent of buses plied. But union leaders claimed that of the 140 buses in the local, depot 20 to 25 buses plied.

Hisar: The strike was successful here, with the authorities failing to persuade drivers and conductors to operate buses. The roadways’ authorities tried to ply three buses, but the staff alighted from the buses to express their solidarity with striking employees.

Kurukshetra: Of the 176 buses in the local depot, 90 were pressed into service. As a result, buses of Punjab Roadways, PEPSU Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) and other states were filled to capacity. Lekhraj, General Manager, Kurukshetra depot, said roadways’ buses plied from places outside the bus stands.

A police spokesperson said five union leaders were arrested under the ESMA and 13 roadways’ employees were booked for proceeding on strike.

Yamunanagar: Hari Narain Sharma, president, All-Haryana Roadways Workers’ Union, claimed the strike was successful in the district. “Only five buses of the Yamunanagar depot plied,” he said. General Manager Ravinder Pathak, however, claimed 21 out 180 buses of the depot plied.

Ambala: In all, 11 roadways employees were booked under the ESMA. Passengers were left high and dry. Private buses were overcrowded.

Karnal: Most of the roadways’ buses remained off road. The authorities said private buses were filled to capacity.

Sonepat: The strike was almost successful here. In Gohana, 80 per cent of the buses remained off road. Security arrangements were made to avoid any untoward incident.

Faridabad: The police rounded up 44 employees, while 15 to 20 buses operated. A clash-like situation erupted after the police rounded up union leaders, who had deflated the tyres of several buses early in the morning. About 110 buses ply from the local depot on long routes daily.

Panipat: General Manager SP Parmar claimed that of the 133 buses of the local depot, 90 plied.