Haryana Roadways strike: 164 employees suspended
CHANDIGARH: The Haryana transport department on Thursday suspended all the 164 roadways employees who were arrested for their involvement in state roadways bus strike on Wednesday, even as the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) was in force in the state.
Additional chief secretary, transport, Dhanpat Singh, in his order sent to all bus depot managers asked them not to let any of these employees resume duty, even if they are on bail.
Singh said the major penalty proceedings have also been initiated against them as they not only took part in the strike but also provoked other employees to join strike.
The strike not only caused major inconvenience to the people and financial losses to the government, but also put the department in a poor light, he said in the order.
As many as 43 employees and union leaders were arrested in Ambala, 40 in Fatehabad, 37 in Hisar, 24 in Sirsa, seven in Dadri, six in Mahendergarh, four in Jind and three in Hansi. While 110 of them were sent to judicial custody, 12 were in police custody. The remaining employees were let off on bail.
Notably, hundreds of passengers were left in the lurch in some districts due to the Haryana Roadways strike on Wednesday even as it evoked partial impact in several other districts.
The employees associated with some unions had gone on strike protesting against the government’s decision to rope in 700 buses from private operators, which they alleged was an attempt to favour a chosen few and a step towards privatisation in the department.
The additional chief secretary refuted all the allegations saying the entire process was fair and transparent.
OF THE 164 EMPLOYEES ARRESTED ON WEDNESDAY, 110 ARE IN JUDICIAL CUSTODY, 12 IN POLICE CUSTODY