30 striking transport employees dismissed

Cracking the whip, Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) today dismissed its 30 employees for going on strike in defiance of High Court orders even as the government invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act to deter its staff from going on strike in future.
Talking to mediapersons after the strike was called off, Transport Minister G S Bali said theaction against the 30 employees has been taken in accordance with HC orders.
The dismissed employees had gone on strike despite High Court restraining them from strike and did not join back at their place of work, he said.
"I advise the dismissed employees to abide by the law and put forth their view point in the court," Bali said.

He said the HRTC had given financial benefits to the tune ofRs 560 crore to the employees.
Bali said in the meeting with the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) leaders of the HRTC unions, the HRTC management told them about the HC orders, but they still went on strikewhich was illegal

"We have decided to impose ESMA in HRTC keeping with the attitude of the employees, who went on strike against the Court orders," the minister said.
Referring to the benefits given to the employees, Bali said that 1651 appointments were made during past three years, 1250 employees were promoted, 1846 regularized and 347 recruitments were made on compassionate grounds.

He said the drivers and conductors, who have completed 20 years of service were given two special increments and the employees were also given the benefit of 4-9-14, grade pay, over time, leave encashment, medical allowance and many other benefits.