Haryana roadways buses remained off road for the third day on Wednesday causing inconvenience to the commuters across the state.
The State roadways employees unions continued their indefinite strike following their talks held with the State Government on Wednesday remained inconclusive.
The roadways employees have been protesting since Monday evening over issuance of permits to private operators in the state.
More than 3500 buses, which include the luxury Volvo bus service, came to a halt at all bus stands in the state since Monday evening. As more than 13 lakh passengers travel in the state roadways buses daily, commuters faced a tough time after the public transport did not ply on their regular routes. Stranded passengers were forced to travel in private vehicles.
The State Government is said to have suffered a loss of about Rs 10 crore loss due to the strike.
Meanwhile, cracking whip on the striking employees, Haryana Government on Wednesday suspended 120 employees of the Haryana roadways. Transport Minister Krishan lal Panwar ordered suspension of at least 120 employees including union leaders for going on flash strike without prior notice to the Government.
The union leaders have held the government responsible for their strike and also demanded withdrawal of suspension orders.
Sarbat Singh Punia, general secretary of Haryana Roadways Workers Union said that the talks held with Transport Minister has failed to yield any positive result, thus, the roadways strike would continue.
The Minister has assured us to talk to the Chief Minister Manohar lal regarding our demands, he said.
He added that on one hand, the government is inviting us for talks and on other that the government’s stance on giving permits to private operators remained unchanged.
Haryana Additional Chief Secretary, Transport SS Dhillon while addressing mediapersons said 120 employees have been suspended so far.
On employees demands, he said there were about 1,300 routes of state roadways out of which only 273 had been allotted to private operators.
Only short routes have been given to them under the scheme. The remaining routes would be exclusively managed by the Haryana Roadways, including the long-distances routes, and those leading to other states, Dhillon said.
He added, various demands of the unions have already been met and doors are still open to hold further discussions.
Meanwhile, in view of the ongoing strike, a meeting of the Crisis Management Committee was convened in Chandigarh by Chief Secretary D S Dhesi.
The roadways unions are protesting against the government scheme to give 853 permits to private bus operators on 273 routes and are demanding a rollback of the decision.
The Union leaders have alleged that while Chief Minister had in a meeting in March this year assured them that no such policy will be implemented to bring in private operators but the senior officers had informed them about the decision to grant permits to private transporters.
DGP directs to maintain law and order situation
In view of the strike by state roadways employees, Haryana Director General of Police, KP Singh on Wednesday directed officers in all districts to maintain law and order and ensure that no person causes any harm to public property.