Chandigarh, March 17 (IANS) Thousands of commuters across Haryana faced harassment at the hands of private vehicle owners on Tuesday after the state roadways staff went on strike protesting against the grant of route permits to private bus operators.
The state-run bus services were paralysed in the state. Buses remained parked at bus stands or at bus depots, and passengers were left stranded.
The roadways employees are protesting against the grant of route permits to the private operators and a new time table being allowed for private buses.
Local modes of transport such as taxis, auto-rickshaws and pedal-rickshaws made a fast buck from people wanting to reach their destination on time.
"I had to pay Rs.200 for a shared taxi for a short distance. The roadways strike only affects the common man," said Harinder, a daily commuter from Karnal.
The strike was called by various associations of employees, including the Haryana Roadways Workers Union, Haryana Sanyukt Karamchari Sangh and Haryana Roadways Mahasangh.
The striking staff held rallies at various places.
The president of Haryana Roadways Workers Union, Sarbat Singh Punia, said the decision to call for a strike was taken on Monday evening.
"The Haryana government is helping private bus operators at the cost of Haryana Roadways. They are allowed concessions on lucrative routes while Haryana Roadways have to ply buses even on non-profitable routes," Punia said.
A government spokesman said on Tuesday that roadways unions had been invited for discussions. He said the new time table was issued following directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The government has appealed to the workers to return to work to ensure that no discomfort was caused to the common man.
Energy Crisis: India will become the center of energy connectivity in South Asia regions, and will play a big role
The way the Ukraine war has brought forth the problem of an energy crisis in the whole world, the concern of small countries in South Asia has also increased. Not only Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka
Hijab Verdict: Karnataka High Court's big decision, Hijab is not a mandatory part of religion
The Karnataka High Court has given an important decision on the Hijab controversy. The court, while rejecting the petition of the girl students, said that hijab is not a mandatory part of religion.
Halla bol: Congress's performance against inflation and rising oil prices, Rahul-Priyanka absent
Congress has made a ruckus against the central government against the increasing diesel-petrol prices and inflation in the country. Today, Congress workers across the country are protesting against
Amit Shah said: After 2014, PM Modi came as an 'angel', gave a big message to 177 countries
A three-day National Conference on Democracy has been organized in New Delhi. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has given his address on this occasion. He said that India's independence has been 75 years.
Canadian Hindus lash out at Khalistani terrorist's threat, write letter to PM Trudeau
Amid deteriorating relations between India and Canada, Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu has threatened Hindus living in Canada to leave the country. Canadian Hindus have written a letter to
The political uproar over increasing the jurisdiction of BSF, the opposition is accusing the Center of interfering in the rights of the states
Since the increase in the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force in Punjab, West Bengal, and Assam, this has been continuously being questioned by the states. The states are also accusing the
Yoga best way to be Healthy: Minister
New Delhi, March 30 (IANS) Observing that yoga is the best way to keep healthy, central minister Jitendra Singh has said that the government will hold yoga training from next month for its
Impact of Truss's resignation on India-UK trade: Union Minister Piyush Goyal said - Will wait for the new PM, and only then will take forward the trade deal
British Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned on 20 October. She could not get the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) done during her 45-day tenure. On this, Indian Union Minister Piyush Goyal said that
Climate change threat to unborn babies: Negative impact on developing brain, risk of serious mental problems
The data that is coming out about health hazards due to climate change is worrying. We may continue to ignore it out of fear of this huge problem, but if we do not change our lifestyle, then it can
Ukraine crisis: what Biden said in parliament today, how big a challenge for Putin?
US President Joe Biden spoke only about Russia's attack on Ukraine in the opening 15 minutes of his State of the Union speech in Parliament on Tuesday night.
