PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The general secretary of the Uttaranchal Roadways Karmachari Union (URKU) Ashok Chaudhary said that they will decide the date and schedule for a State-level agitation due to the non-payment of salaries for the past three months to employees of the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC). The workers of the roadways buses under UTC have been holding protests over the delay in salary payments for the past few days in a phased manner. The delay in salaries is severely affecting their financial situation. However, no action has been taken so far.
Chaudhary said that for the past 15 days, they have been organising protests in phases at the depots of the Garhwal division. A protest is also scheduled to be organised soon at the Roorkee. He noted that they have been protesting for the non-payment of salaries to drivers, conductors and other workers under UTC for approximately the past three months—covering June, July and August. Currently, UTC has to pay around Rs 200 crore, which is due for retired salaries, as well as contractual and regular workers and others. Additionally, out of the said amount, Rs 60 crore is specifically owed to the workers, including drivers, conductors and others.
With the ongoing salary delays, the roadways workers are facing significant financial difficulties, which is a serious concern. Chaudhary said that their protests will continue in phases at Garhwal division depots for a few more days, after which they will extend to Kumaon division depots. He also warned that they are in discussions with other unions concerned to plan a State-level agitation soon.
Earlier, while discussing the agitation plans, Chaudhary stressed that if the corporation does not pay the salaries for the last two months promptly and ensure timely salary payments by the 7th of each month, along with implementing a concrete policy to stop the illegal operation of private vehicles, the URKU will escalate its movement to a State-level protest, leading to a vigorous agitation across Uttarakhand.
