Shimla, June 23: A showdown between the management of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) and its drivers' and conductors' unions appears imminent, with the unions sticking to their call for a strike from June 25 despite repeated assurances by Deputy Chief Minister and Transport Minister Mukesh Agnihotri that employees' concerns were being addressed.
The proposed strike threatens to disrupt public transport across Himachal Pradesh at a time when the summer tourist season is at its peak and thousands of visitors are travelling to hill destinations across the state. Daily commuters, students, government employees and residents of remote rural areas are also likely to bear the brunt if bus services are affected.
In a bid to avert the crisis, the state government convened a meeting on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary (Transport). However, the talks ended inconclusively after union representatives reportedly raised objections over the transfer of a driver and demanded its immediate withdrawal.
According to the government, the union leaders walked out of the meeting without discussing the demands listed in their strike notice.
With the deadlock deepening, the Himachal Pradesh Government has invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and declared HRTC services an essential service through a notification issued on June 23. Under ESMA, strikes and related activities are prohibited and violations can invite penal action.
The government has also reminded employees that the Himachal Pradesh High Court, in a 2016 judgment, had declared such strikes illegal.
Anticipating disruptions, HRTC has put contingency plans into motion. The corporation has announced walk-in recruitment of temporary drivers on a day-to-day basis.
Selection camps will be held at all Regional Manager offices across the state on June 24.
Candidates possessing valid HTV/HMV licences, at least three years of experience in driving heavy transport vehicles and matriculation qualification will be eligible to participate.
Officials said nearly 656 temporary drivers are proposed to be engaged across 31 depots and units to keep services running.
The corporation is also making arrangements to deploy personnel from the Himachal Home Guards for operating bus services. Police and district administrations have been asked to maintain law and order in view of the strike call.
The unfolding confrontation has raised questions over the effectiveness of recent assurances given by Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who had repeatedly maintained that employee grievances were being resolved through dialogue.
However, the latest developments indicate that significant differences remain between the two sides.
HRTC management has once again appealed to the unions to withdraw the strike in the larger public interest, warning that any disruption in bus services would hit commuters and tourists alike during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
As the clock ticks towards June 25, the state transport lifeline appears headed for turbulent days unless fresh negotiations succeed in breaking the impasse.
