Angry over expulsion of six conductors without any cause, the drivers and conductors deployed at the buses operational under JNNRUM scheme, on Thursday went on strike as a mark of protest against the decision by transport officials.
They, however, called off their strike after transport authorities attached seven assistant transport inspectors (ticket examiners) to the assistant regional manager office and reinstated the six conductors. Drivers and conductors stopped operation of the buses in the morning, expressing their displeasure over termination of the six conductors sans giving any reason. The employees said that they were earning profit for the buses and transport administration should give reason as to why action was ensured against them.
Uttarakhand Roadways Sanyukta Karmchari Parishad and Uttarakhand Parichalak and Chalak Sangthan also extended support to the strike. Its office bearers, including vice president Dinesh Gusain and general secretary Vijay Kumar Mamgai along with other members reached the strike venue.
“We are with the conductors in their protest against the wrong decision by the transport officials. It is really strange that that the six conductors were expelled for no reason. If the authorities had any complaints against the conductors, they should have clarified before expelling them,” Gusain said.
He said that the Parishad would not tolerate such a tyrannical way of the members of ticket inspector squad. Moreover, senior officials received information about the strike that led to severe inconvenience to the passengers. The officials, including general manager (operation) Ashish Kumar and general manager (technical) Deepak Kumar reached the ISBT and held a dialogue with agitating conductors and drivers.
They assured them of ensuring action into the matter. The conductors, however, said that they would call off their strike only after action is ensured against the assistant transport (ticket) inspectors (ATIs) and the conductors were reinstated. Seeing no way out, the senior officials attached the ATIs with assistant regional manager office. The officials also reinstated six conductors. It was then the employees called of their strike and operation of buses resumed after around six hours.
The senior officials also invited the members of the Karmchari Parishad for a dialogue with them. General Manager (Operation) Ashish Kumar said that the seven officials have been attached with assistant regional manager of the depot. They would work under his directions.