Employees of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) have withdrawn their proposed indefinite strike following a meeting with Additional Chief Secretary (Transport) R.D. Nazeem on Wednesday evening. The strike was scheduled to begin at midnight over pending dues.
Key Demands Addressed in Talks
Maan Singh Thakur, president of the Drivers' Association, confirmed that some demands were accepted while others remain pending. He stated, 'Some of our demands have been accepted, while others are still pending. Considering that several demands have been addressed and keeping in view the current situation of the state and the government, we have decided to call off the proposed strike.'
Agreement on Overtime Dues
HRTC Managing Director Nipun Jindal revealed that the management and employees reached an agreement on several issues during the meeting, including the early release of overtime dues pending for 12 months. This move is expected to ease financial strain on employees and ensure uninterrupted bus services across the state.
Impact on Public Transport
The strike withdrawal prevents disruption of public transport services in Himachal Pradesh, where HRTC operates a vast network of buses connecting remote areas. The corporation has been grappling with financial challenges, leading to delayed payments, but the agreement signals a temporary resolution to the crisis.
