Commuters in the national capital had a harrowing time on Monday as Delhi Transport Corporation busses stayed off the roads due to a strike call given by its employees who are demanding a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the family of a DTC driver who was beaten to death on Sunday.
The DTC Unions have threatened to continue with the strike if their demands are not met, however, DTC has said that they will ensure that busses ply on the roads.
Meanwhile, the government has announced to bear all the medical expenses of the wife of the deceased. It said it will also bear the cost of education of the driver’s daughter.
Peak rush hours saw long queues of people jostling for space at roads and metro stations. Cases of overcharging by auto rickshaws were reported from different part of the city.
Several schools, which have engaged DTC buses, had asked parents to make their own arrangements for picking and dropping children.
The strike was called against the murder of DTC driver Ashok Kumar (42). He was yesterday beaten to death allegedly by a youth after his bus grazed the latter’s bike in Mundka area of west Delhi.
The Unions are demanding higher compensation for the family and better security for DTC’s bus staffers.
“Ashok Kumar didn’t die in an accident but was murdered while he was on duty. Rs 5 lakh is no compensation to pay for his life. When Delhi Government can pay Rs one crore to Delhi police martyr, which does not comes under their jurisdiction then why can’t they par Rs 1 crore to their bus driver,” said Rampath Kasana of Delhi Parivahan Mazdoor Sangh.
The Bus union also said that there has been no communication with the Delhi Government so far and strike will continue till the time they do not address their demands.
However, DTC claimed that they managed to put 704 buses on roads against all odds. The strength of buses is about 4,700.
“The number of buses in service is likely to be increased in the evening shift. We are seeking help from Delhi Police and other authorities to put maximum number of buses on road so that general public should not be put into inconvenience,” a senior DTC official said.
DTC has deputed all Regional Managers, Depot Managers and other officers to make arrangements and put maximum buses on roads.
