The supply of electricity and water was severely affected across Haryana on the first day of the three-day strike by more than 3.5 lakh Haryana Government employees of all departments across the State.
“There was complete blackout in various districts including Hissar, Jind, Mewat, Rewari, Kaithal and Panipat,” said Devender Singh Hooda, president of All Haryana Power Corporation Workers Union.
“If power is not there, the water pumps or boosters cannot work, hence, water supply of these areas too was affected severely,” he said.
Though ‘coordination committee’ exempted ambulance service and emergency services at hospitals from the strike yet rest of the services including essential services-supply of electricity and water remained affected across the State. Dharamvir Phogat president of the Sarv Karamchari Sangh Haryana claimed that their strike remained successful on the first day and it will remain successful on the remaining two days.
The employees are demanding regularisation of one lakh temporary employees working in different departments, boards and corporations across the state, stopping privatisation of Government departments, outsourcing, recruitments through contract policies and PPP mode in the State and cancellation of policy regarding 3,519 proposed bus permits to the private bus operators. Meanwhile, a criminal case was registered against the employees of Power Utilities who were found guilty of dereliction of duty in Rohtak as Government warned of stern legal and administrative action against such employees.
An official spokesman said that MD, Power Utilities has issued guidelines for smooth electricity supply during strike call given by employees’ unions.