Haryana warns agitating Roadways workers of stern action

Chandigarh, Aug 5 (UNI) Haryana Government today warned the agitating workers of Haryana Roadways planning a demonstration on August 6 in Jind of stern action against those found unauthorisedly absent from duty and indulging in any unlawful act or causing inconvenience to the general public.

A spokesman of Haryana Roadways said that no genuine demand of the workers was pending and the management of Haryana Roadways had always been open to consider any reasonable demand of the workmen which affected their service conditions.

He said that there was no valid ground for resorting to any demonstration by the workers and such uncalled for acts would only cause inconvenience to the common man as transportation was an essential service.

He said that in the recent past, a large number of promotions have taken place in the department and over 2500 operational staff positions have also been filled up.

The fleet strength of the Haryana Roadways was being increased in a phased manner by adding 1000 new buses during the Eleventh Five Year Plan. With the induction of the buses, additional staff as might be required, would also be recruited, he added.

He pointed out that Haryana Roadways is part of the State government and rules and regulations as applicable to other Haryana Government employees would also govern the service conditions of Haryana Roadways.

"To that extent, a separate policy for the employees of Haryana Roadways as is being made out as a part of the demands is not sustainable", he added.

He said that ex-gratia in lieu of bonus has been paid regularly to the employees of Haryana Roadways, Allowances such as night shift and shoe allowance have been increased, workshop working hours has also been reduced by half an hour, new uniform for operational and technical staff approved and action initiated to remove a few instances of pay anomalies.

The employees of Haryana Roadways should not allow themselves to be misled into creating any difficulty to the ordinary passengers, he said.

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