Haryana gears up as unions calls for strike

With talks between the Haryana government and employees' unions ending in a deadlock Tuesday evening, the authorities ordered precautionary measures in view of the strike call given from Wednesday by protesting unions.

The strike call has been given by various unions of the Haryana Roadways' employees and other services to protest a move by the government to issue permits to private transporters to ply their buses on a large number of routes in the state.

The unions say that the move will directly affect the operations of Haryana Roadways, which plies nearly 3,600 buses within the state and inter-state routes, and will also push up travel cost for passengers.

"The Haryana government has taken all precautionary measures in view of the call for general strike given by unions of employees from Nov 13.

"All divisional commissioners, range inspector generals and police commissioners as well as deputy commissioners in the state have been asked to take adequate measures to ensure that no inconvenience is caused to the public," a state government spokesman said here.

The respective authorities have been asked to ensure smooth plying of buses, maintenance of essential services like electricity and water supply and municipal services.

"They have been asked to take effective steps, including imposition of prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC in the vicinity of important installations and places like bus-stands, electric and public health installations," the spokesman said.