Roadways conductors asked to boycott km scheme buses

Employees unions have instructed Punjab Roadways bus conductors not to report for work in all the six privately owned buses operating under the so-called kilometre scheme that was introduced in April by the state transport department.

Employees unions have instructed Punjab Roadways bus conductors not to report for work in all the six privately owned buses operating under the so-called kilometre scheme that was introduced in April by the state transport department.

The Punjab Roadways staff has been furious over the fact that the scheme was launched without the gover nment first consulting them. In fact four more buses were proposed in the scheme soon after its launch but the plan was shelved after roadways employees refused to cooperate.

At a meeting convened by transport unions was held last week in Moga it was decided no Punjab Roadways conductor would work on these buses.

All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) president Harbansh Singh said, “The kilometre scheme was introduced by the government to specifically benefit private bus owners, but in the process it did not bother to consider how the move would affect roadways employees. Looking at the losses incurred by the roadways we decided to ask conductors to boycott buses operating under the scheme”.