If strike by the Haryana Roadways employees was not enough, further problem is in store for the beleaguered State Government. More than 3.5 lakh Government employees of all departments have also announced that they would not only join Roadways employees strike for 72 hours between January 21 and 23 but also fight for the rights of all government employees across the state.
Dharamvir Phogat, President of the Sarv Karamchari Sangh Haryana on Monday reiterated Haryana employees' ‘coordination committee’ comprising all major employees' unions, including Sarv Karamchari Sangh and Haryana Karamchari Mahasangh (employees of all departments), Haryana Roadways employees’ coordination committee of seven Haryana roadways employees’ unions, employees organisations of boards, corporations, universities, Government undertakings, directorate employees etc. are going to join the strike.
“We will not join work until State Government calls us to solve our long pending problems”, added Phogat.
He said demands included regularisation of one lakh temporary employees working in different departments, boards and corporations across the State, stopping privatisation of the Government departments, outsourcing, recruitments through contract policies and Public Private Partnership mode in the State and cancellation of policy regarding 3519 proposed bus permits to the private bus operators.
Government sources said if these employees join the proposed strike, all Government offices will have to remain closed for three days. Essential services including electricity, water supply, health services, education etc. may be adversely affected across
the State.
Meanwhile, the Haryana Government has decided to hire drivers and conductors on contract basis besides hiring school and college buses for transportation.
Transport minister Aftab Ahmed said “those on strike will be taken to task”. He claimed that Government was trying to hire drivers and conductors on contract basis, besides taking services of private vehicles from schools and colleges to check the impact of the strike.
The Haryana Power Utilities have also issued strict instructions to maintain continuity of power supply in the State. A statement said that in case any employee indulges in sabotage or disruption of supply, strict disciplinary action, even to the extent of removal from service, would be taken. In case any contractual employee is found abstained from normal regular duties, the contractor will ensure immediate removal and replacement of the personnel with another having same qualification. Services of the retired employees would also be availed.