Employees' agitation: UP threatens to disband UPSRTC

Lucknow, July 13 (UNI) The Uttar Pradesh government today threatened to disband UP State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) following unrest amongst its employees and threat of an indefinite strike.

Taking serious note of the recent 'Chakka Jam' by UPSTRC employyes over their 18-point charter of demands and allegations of uncurtious attitude of transport minister Naresh Aggarwal, the government today said if the employees continued with their attitude, it would have no problems disbanding the Corporation.

Addressing newsmen here at a hurriedly conveyed press conference, he said employees who had participated in the 24-hour long strike would be served notices under Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) seeking reasons as to why their services should not be terminated.

''The employees who are on contract and had participated in the strike would be terminated...we will not seek their services in the Corporation again,'' he asserted.

The minister said the state government has also decided not to further expand the bus fleet. ''But we would include buses orders for which have so far been placed,'' he added.

Mr Agarwal said orders would be issued shortly asking UPSRTC to pay the monthly road and passenger tax to the government first and then disburse salaries.

''A total of Rs 700 crore passenger tax is due on UPSTRC, which is yet to be paid to UP government...last year's due was Rs 207 crore. But, the Corporation paid us only Rs 105 crore. Now they will have to pay us the taxes on a monthly basis. The amount left can be used to pay salaries to employees,'' he added.

He claimed like Madhya Pradesh and a few other states, UP could also disband the Transport Corporation and hand the baton over to the private sector. ''Instead of August 15, they can go on a strike from tomorrow...there is no room for compromise,'' he underlined.

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