At least 3,500 buses, including 20 Volvo and nine Mercedes Benz buses that ply between Gurugram and Chandigarh, came to a halt at bus stands in the state. This is the second time since April 10 that Haryana Roadways staff have gone on a strike.
State transport minister Krishan Lal Panwar called a meeting with employee union leaders in the afternoon to discuss the demand.
Union general secretary Sarbat Poonia said, “We are anguished with the government decision to give permission to private bus operators. Despite chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s assurance on March 29, the department gave permits to private operators on 273 routes.”
The union wants to run roadways buses on all routes in the state and is against giving permits to private operators. “The roadways buses will generate revenue and provide jobs to hundreds. There should be 16,000 buses in the state. It will give jobs to 96,000 people, considering six persons get employment per bus,” Poonia said.
Terming the strike unfortunate, Panwar said he called a meeting with roadways employee leaders on Tuesday afternoon. “We will find out a way so that people are not inconvenienced,” he said.
Source: Hindustan Times
