Haryana Roadways staff, officers fail to resolve deadlock again

CHANDIGARH: The stand off between Haryana Roadways employees and the state transport department over the issue of hiring of buses from private contractors continued as the meeting between the two remained inconclusive on Monday. Additional director general of the transport department Virender Dahiya confirmed that the meeting failed to resolve the deadlock.
“We had videographed the entire proceedings and will file our reply before the Punjab and Haryana high court about the meeting with the roadways employees,” said Dahiya.The case is scheduled to come up for hearing on November 14 before the high court.
Meanwhile, the coordination committee of HR Workers’ Union (HRWU) termed the meeting as a formality. “The government has convened the meeting to just to inform the court. The additional chief secretary (transport) has clearly ruled out the possibility of withdrawal of the scheme related to hiring of buses on per kilometre basis,” a release issued by the coordination committee stated.
Despite court advisory of withdrawal of action against the agitating HR employees, the state government has left it to the court and has not withdrawn any action, the release further said, adding that the coordination committee would decide further course of action on November 14.
“The employees will also apprise the court about the action take by the Haryana government, which is alleged to be contempt of court,” a roadways union leader said.
Acting on the directions of the high court, the HRWU members had called off their strike on November 2. The roadways employees were demanding withdrawal of transport department’s move of hiring 720 buses from private operators on the per kilometre basis.
On the other hand, the transport department had refused to budge, saying that the decision to hire private buses was taken by the state government. The roadways employees had proceeded on strike on the night of October 15, which went on for 18 days.
Meanwhile, the HRWU coordination committee also indicated to lodge a complaint before the National Human Rights Commission as some of the employees, including the women leaders, had alleged being tortured by the cops during their period of custody.