State-run buses off Himachal roads, commuters hit hard

Employees of the state-run Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HSRTC), which has a fleet over 1,900 buses, Tuesday went on a day-long strike, hitting the commuters hard.

Employees of the state-run Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HSRTC), which has a fleet over 1,900 buses, Tuesday went on a day-long strike, hitting the commuters hard.

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Protesting employees said the buses that operate within and outside the state would remain off roads throughout the day.

Students and office-goers found it difficult to travel to their destinations because of paucity of buses.

The employees, who have been observing work to rule for the past one week, Monday decided to go on strike after talks with the management failed in Shimla.

Their demands included regularisation of the contract staff after completion of three years of service and converting the corporation into state roadways to protect the pension benefits.

Spokesman for the protesting employees Khemendra Gupta said the 24-hour strike commenced midnight.

HSRTC, the biggest loss making unit in the state, is playing an important role in ferrying people even in the remotest villages across the state.

Besides HSRTC, there are about 2,800 private buses plying in the state.