After HC order, bus operators call off stir

Tribune News Service 

Dehradun, July 31 

The High Court on Tuesday directed the striking Kumaon Motor Union and other private bus operators in Uttarakhand to end their strike within an hour. 

While hearing the writ petition, the Division Bench of Chief Justice KM Joseph and Justice Sharad Sharma ordered the union leaders to end their stir or face dissolution of their unions. 

The warning by the High Court had the desired effect and the Kumaon Motor Union leaders immediately announced calling off the stir. The stir was on in the state since Friday. 

The Judges also directed the Secretary, Department of Transport, to hold talks with the union leaders on their demands within a period of three weeks. 

The court also issued notices to the Adarsh Motor Union and the Garhwal Motor Union.

Earlier, the state government submitted an affidavit before the court regarding the steps being taken by it to improve the conditions of road. 

On Monday, the High Court had directed the state government to file a reply before it within 24 hours. 

The court was hearing a PIL filed by Haldwani resident Neeraj Tiwari regarding the problems being faced by commuters due to the strike. The petitioner had even prayed for the imposition of ESMA on the striking union leaders. 

The private operators have been off road in support of a host of demands, including hike in passenger fare, which at present is 95 paisa per kilometre. Another demand is compulsory installation of speed governors and GPS system in the buses. 

Several private operators such as taxi operators had also joined the stir causing inconvenience to the general public.