Thaindian News

Chandigarh, June 8 (IANS) Bus commuters had a tough time in Haryana Wednesday as Haryana Roadways employees went on a day’s strike to denounce the government’s privatisation policy.

The large fleet of state-run roadways buses went off the roads across the state following a strike call by the Haryana Roadways Karamchari Sangharsh Samiti.

Employees staged protests in different towns including Rohtak, Sonepat, Jhajjar and Hisar.

Harayan Roadways, which plies both within and outside the state, has a fleet of 3,211 buses and more than 16,000 employees.

“We are totally against the privatisation of Haryana Roadways,” union leader Rattan Singh told IANS. “Hundreds of drivers and conductors have gone on strike.”

The strike was called against the proposed allotment of 2,700 permits to private bus operators. Union leaders say that instead of privatisation, the government should fill vacant posts in Haryana Roadways.

The Haryana government has warned the striking employees.

“Strict action will be taken against errant employees,” an official said.

The Haryana government has imposed restrictions in different districts to restrain the unions from protesting near bus stands.

The worst hit were bus passengers.

Said one of them, Ramesh Rana: “I had to reach my office in Rohtak at 10 a.m. As I did not get any bus, I hired a taxi at 10 times the price of bus fare.”