UP goes tough against agitating roadways staff

Lucknow, Jul 18: Uttar Pradesh government today gave a stern warning to the agitating State Roadways Corporation (UPSRTC) employees who have announced to go on indefinite strike from midnight tonight.

State chief secretary Naveen Chandra Bajpayee said here that talks were underway with the leaders of the agitating employees and they have been asked to withdraw the strike.

Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav had also discussed the matter with the UPSRTC union leaders and the issue even came up in the cabinet meeting today.

Mr Bajpayee said only 10 to 12 per cent of the employees were supporting the agitation and if they continue to stick to their decision to go on strike, the government will have to take a 'tough' stand against them.

Reacting to the employees' 24-hour 'chakka jam' last week, UP government had terminated the services of 698 contract employees, who had participated in the strike.

While FIRs were lodged against 554 employees, 822 were suspended.

A day after strike, the government had issued show cause notices to all the employees under Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA).

Taken aback by the FIRs, the employees' union has moved the office of the chief minister, requesting him to intervene in the matter.

But state transport minister Naresh Agarwal remains unmoved and threatened to disband the UPSRTC. ''Private companies can to the job better,'' he added.

UPSTRC employees had gone on the strike with an 18-point charter of demands and allegations of ''uncourteous'' attitude of the transport minister.

He informed the government had also decided not to further expand the bus fleet.

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

''A total of Rs 700 crore passenger tax is due from the 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 private sector. ''Instead of August 15, they can go on a strike from tomorrow...there is no room for compromise,'' he underlined.

UNI