The Himachal Pradesh government has implemented the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) following a strike notice issued by state roadways employees starting midnight Wednesday. Participation in any strike or related activities has been banned, with strict penalties for violations. The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) Employees’ Union has called for a strike due to unresolved demands.
In response to the impending strike, the government stated that the HRTC management has been actively engaging with employee unions to address their grievances. Despite ongoing discussions, the unions proceeded with the strike call in the absence of meeting their demands. A meeting chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary (Transport) was held to address the situation, but union representatives left the discussion over a driver transfer issue.
Referring to a 2016 Himachal Pradesh High Court order deeming such strikes illegal, the government emphasized the need to maintain public transport services without disruption. To mitigate inconvenience, the HRTC has devised a plan for temporary driver engagement on a daily basis at fixed pay rates. The corporation will conduct walk-in selections at all Regional Manager offices on Wednesday at noon to ensure service continuity.
The HRTC management has urged union representatives to reconsider the strike decision in the public interest and highlighted the legal implications of their actions. The government is closely monitoring the situation and undertaking necessary measures to uphold uninterrupted public transport services.
