Ruling out immediate invocation of Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against striking motormen in Mumbai, Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan today said efforts were on to persuade the agitators to call off their stir.
"The Centre has given us a go-ahead for invoking provisions of ESMA, but we are holding discussions with the railway unions and hoping for a positive outcome," Chavan told reporters after reviewing the situation arising out of the strike.
"The decision to invoke ESMA will be taken, if necessary by this evening, by Home Minister R R Patil," he said. Chavan said 20 per cent motormen have turned up for work on Central Railway, while Western line has been completely shut down.
The Chief Minister said 18 per cent of the state government employees have reported for work today and added that motormen who are willing to resume work will be provided security.
Chavan said 4,400 extra buses of BEST and MSRTC have been deployed since yesterday, "but, they are also proving to be insufficient".
