Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot Tuesday claimed most of the DTC buses were running normally despite a strike called by contractual workers.
He said some of the employees were resorting to violence, but the DTC Contractual Workers Union denied the allegations.
The strike under the banner of the union entered ninth day Tuesday with five members of the union sitting on a hunger strike at the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) headquarters here.
The contractual workers are on strike since October 22, demanding restoration of their wages reduced after a court order, reinstatement of workers terminated due to strike, same pay for same work, and strengthening fleet of DTC buses.
"94 per cent of our DTC buses plying normally today. Wages related demands of contractual employees already accepted. Some striking employees resorting to violence," Gahlot said in a tweet.
He also shared a video of a DTC bus conductor purportedly beaten up in Sarita Vihara area and sought urgent attention of the Lt Governor and the Delhi Police Commissioner towards the incident.
Manoj Sharma, working president of the DTC Contractual Workers Union, denied claims of violence during the protest. He said their agitation was peaceful.
"We have started an indefinite hunger strike. Five of protesters sat on an indefinite fast today. We are peacefully protesting and have nothing to do with violence," Sharma said.
The DTC on Sunday said the Delhi government has restored the minimum wage rates prevailing before August 4, 2018, of contractual employees and withdrew the orders for reducing the wage.
The deduction in wages made for the intervening period from August 4 till October 31 will be credited to the accounts of the personnel by the end of this month, it said.
The announcement, however, failed to impress the employees. Sharma said, "We have also demanded same pay for same work and strengthening of DTC bus fleet".
He said contractual workers were paid "far less wages" despite discharging same duties performed by permanent employees of the public transporter.
Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal has imposed Essential Service Maintenance Act, 1974 on DTC for six months banning all strikes by its employees
The government termed the strike by "a few workers" as "illegal" since ESMA is in place.
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