Passengers suffer across Haryana as roadways staff on strike

Thousands of commuters today faced inconvenience across Haryana as the bus services remained paralysed after employees of the state roadways went on a one-day strike to protest against the issuance of new time-table for private bus operators.
The buses, including the luxury Volvo service, were off the roads in the state.
"The strike is complete and all buses including the fleet of Volvo buses are off the roads," Haryana Roadway Workers Union President Sarbat Singh Punia said today.
He said the strike call was given by the Haryana Roadways Employees Coordination Committee and all Roadways employee unions are supporting it.

"We decided to proceed on strike following the issuance of new time-table and granting long route permit to private operators by the government," Punia said.
The Roadways employees held demonstrations across the state at various bus depots, demanding withdrawal of the new time-table and granting long route permits to private transporters.

Informing that the State government has invited the Roadways Unions for discussion on their demands today, Punia said, "Let's see what will be the outcome of this meeting after which we will take a call on future course of action."
Meanwhile, a Haryana government spokesman said here that Principal Secretary, Transport, Avtar Singh and Transport Commissioner, Ashok Khemka and other officials will hold talks with the Roadways Unions.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the State government, "to issue time table strictly in accordance with the Stage Carriage Permit of each petitioner under the 2013 policy", the spokesperson said.
The time-table for additional districts would be withheld till discussions, the spokesperson said adding that the government has appealed the employees to return to work to ensure that no discomfort is caused to the commuters.