Public transport services affected, protest against new Road Safety Bill
Commuters and wheat transport badly affected due to strike
Public transport services affected, protest against new Road Safety Bill
Roadways officials also put forth their demands
Ferozepur, April 30, 2015: The public transport services were partially affected in the city due to strike called by transporters to protest against the Centre’s new bill on Road Safety and transport. In the bill hefty fines have been proposed for minor traffic violation including the jumping a red light on motorists.
In the morning certain private buses were seen operating but later on the entire fleet of roadways and private buses were seen parked in the bus stand and at private places.
The transporters strike has impacted on the normal life in the city as the buses remained off the road. The commuters were badly affected who daily board the buses to reach to their destinations especially the students class.
It may be added that the day-long strike has been called jointly by road transport organisations — representing both public and private sector workers — which are affiliated to central trade unions including All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and BMS.
Even the wheat procurement has almost halted in grain markets due to strikes by transporters and labourers, hitting the farmers hard who are already bearing the brunt of unseasonal rains. Heavy stocks were seen lying the mandi yards due to non-lifting by the transporters.
Speaking on the occasion, Amrik Singh Convener and Sant Ram General Secretary alleged heavy corruption on the influence of the Transport Minister by the roadways officials.
They also protested against the allotment of space to the DTO in the workshop premises for driving test. They also accused the Punjab Government with making changes in the time table of the buses frequently for adjusting the private transporters which is against the transport policy.
The leaders also appealed to include 491 interest free buses in the roadways to complete the fleet of 2407 buess.
They also demanded to issue appointment to the legal heirs of the deceased roadways employees on compassionate grounds immediately.
The other demands include the adding 300 more buses under PUNBUS scheme, increate in recruitment of staff norm from 1.3 to 1.5, providing of overtime, release of balance payment of overtime and issuing of uniforms as per today’s rates as the staff without uniform are also challaned.
The Union leaders demanded to accept their demands immediately otherwise the agitation will be intensified.
