Public transport services in Punjab and Haryana turned out to be the main casualty of the day-long nationwide strike of central trade unions, protesting against the proposed changes in labour laws.
Passengers, especially in Haryana, had a harrowing time as majority of state-owned buses remained off road at several places following the decision of Haryana Roadways Employees’ Union to join the nationwide protest.
Reports pouring from several places said that private bus operators and taxis took hapless passengers for a ride by “overcharging” them.
The major impact of strike was visible on public transport services in Haryana where employees under the Haryana Roadways Employees’ Union banner refused to allow plying of buses in protest against privatization in roadways sector.
Out of Haryana Roadways’ total fleet size of 4,200, only 800-900 buses could ply in the state, said an official of the Haryana Transport department.
In Punjab, 20-25 per cent of total state transport buses were off the roads for few hours. “Protesting employees started their protest at 11 am and ended it at 2 pm at bus depots,” said an official of Punjab Roadways department.
In Chandigarh also, protesting employees of Chandigarh Transport Undertaking held a symbolic protest from 10 am to 12 noon.
The disruption in movement of buses was just for 2-3 hours, said a CTU official.
Banking services, including clearing houses, were also hit as employees of public sector banks, except SBI, went on strike. - PTI
