UPSRTC employees call off their stir

Lucknow, July 18 (UNI) Agitating State Roadways Corporation (UPSRTC) employees today called off their strike unconditionally after ''positive assurance'' from the government.

The employees have earlier announced to go on indefinite strike from midnight tonight.

Addressing a joint press conference Uttar Pradesh Transport Minister Naresh Agarwal and UPSRTC Ramji Tripathi announced that the employees have decided to call off their stir unconditionally after ''positive'' assurance from the government.

Mr Agarwal said all the FIRs and retrenchment orders against the Roadways employees will be withdrawn.

The 10-point charter of demands of the employees will also be taken up for consideration by the cabinet, the Minister added.

The state government had issued a stern warning to the agitating employees warning ''tough action'' against them.

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.

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.

UNI MB YA MIR HT2216