Haryana suspends over 120 state roadways employees

CHANDIGARH Cracking whip on the striking Haryana roadways employees, the state government on Wednesday suspended around 120 leaders and members of the roadways workers union, even as the commuters continued to go through a harrowing time across the state on the third consecutive day.

The Haryana Roadways workers’ union had gone on a flash strike on Monday evening in protest against the government scheme to give 853 permits to private bus operators on 273 routes. It is demanding that more roadways buses be bought and run on these routes to give employment to more people.

The state government called union leaders for talks on Tuesday, which failed and the strike continued.

The governmentsays it is in process to have its own buses, but private operators’ services are required in the wake of a huge gap between buses and passengers. The strike has reportedly caused a loss of over Rs 10 crore since Monday evening.

GOVT APPEAL TO WORKERS

Meanwhile, SS Dhillon, additional chief secretary (ACS), transport, appealed to representatives of the roadways unions to call off the strike, come to the negotiating table and resume their duties in the interest of the people of the state.

Addressing a press conference here, Dhillon said Haryana roadways would continue to have exclusive jurisdiction on all inter-state routes included in the scheme. While 300 buses have already been purchased, tender for 300 more is in final stage. In addition, 300 buses would be added to the roadways fleet during the current financial year.

Dhillon said there were about 1,300 routes of state roadways out of which only 273 short routes had been allotted to private operators.

STRIKE ENTERS DAY 3, COMMUTERS ACROSS HARYANA GO THROUGH HARROWING TIME AS BUSES REMAIN OFF THE ROADS

EXTRA FORCE

DEPLOYED

Meanwhile, director general of police (DGP) KP Singh said in view of the strike, officers in all districts have been directed to maintain law and order .

Additional police personnel had been deputed in sensitive areas such as Jind and Rohtak, and SPs in other districts .