Roadways employees protest against privatisation, hold symbolic strike

The district unit of Haryana employees union observed a symbolic strike at the bus stand here on Wednesday. Terming the strike as a 'wake up' call for the state government, protesters threatened to observe a four-day 'chakka-jam' from January 20 if their issues were not resolved.

The district unit of Haryana employees union observed a symbolic strike at the bus stand here on Wednesday. Terming the strike as a 'wake up' call for the state government, protesters threatened to observe a four-day 'chakka-jam' from January 20 if their issues were not resolved.

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Notably, the roadways employees have been up in arms over the government's decision to issue 3,519 licences to private operators on different routes in the state.

Addressing the protesters, Joginder Balhara, member of the union said: "After our successful 'chakka-jam' call on November13th and 14th, the state government had vowed to resolve the issues of not issuing permits to private transporters, and adding 600 buses in its fleet, in a fortnight's time."

Alleging betrayal on part of the government, he said that a long time had passed, but no action had been taken by the state government.

Besides cancellation of permit licences, the union has been demanding recruitment of drivers and conductors in the state roadways department and regularisation of temporary and contractual employees.