Talks with govt fail, HR Roadways employees continue strike

Talks between the protesting state roadways employees and the Haryana government failed today, even as thousands of commuters were left stranded across the state, as the strike continued for the second day.
Haryana roadways employees have been protesting over issuance of permits to private operators.
"We had three round of talks with the government side here today, but they remained adamant saying they had given permits to 853 private buses on 273 routes and there can be no re-think on that. We are demanding that these permits should be revoked," Haryana Roadways Employees Union President, Sarbat Singh Punia told PTI.

Transport Minister and two senior bureaucrats were part of the talks.
The roadways employees under the banner of HRWU staged demonstrations at various depots in the state.
While over 13 lakh passengers travel in the State Roadways buses daily, commuters faced a tough time after the public transport did not ply on their regular routes.

About 4,000 buses, which include the luxury Volvo bus service, came to a halt at all bus stands in the state since last evening.
Punia said the government had yesterday also invited them for talks with Additional Chief Secretary, Transport, S S Dhillon.
"However, nothing came out of these talks as the government's stance on giving permits to private operators remained unchanged. After this, we decided to go on strike," he said.

When asked that their decision lead to inconvenience among the common public, Punia said, "we admit that general public is facing difficulties. But we are fighting for the public, it's a people's fight. Why can't the government add buses to its own fleet and improve service, why are they bent upon giving permits to private operators?"
He said the strike would continue till their demands are met.
Meanwhile, talking to reporters after emerging out of marathon talks which failed to yield any result, Krishan Lal Panwar said the interests of employees of the department and the people of the state are of paramount importance for the state government which is always ready to hold talks with employees unions.

He said the employees union were objecting to the transport policy dated February 17, 2017.
Presently, 853 private buses are being operated on 273 routes and all operators have got their permits made afresh, he said.
"Priority was given to those who were already operating buses. These included 80 per cent old permit holders and routes. Apart from this, 1,669 other applications were received. No new route has been assigned to anyone," Panwar said.
Panwar said he has directed that GPS systems should be installed immediately in all private buses.
"Once it is done if any permit holder changes his route, his security deposit of Rs 1 lakh would be forfeited. The permit holders would have to allow persons belonging to 39 categories who have been granted the facility of free or discounted travel in the state roadways buses. If any bus operator denies them travel, his permit would be cancelled," he added.

Panwar said that presently there are about 4,200 buses in the fleet of the state transport. Besides, 600 new buses are being added out of which 300 have been purchased and approval has been given for the purchase for 300 more, he said.