Himachal Pradesh Bhartiya Parivahan Mazdoor Sangh, Drivers and Conductors of HRTC have now decided not to go on proposed strike on 19th and 20th June, 2012. This was revealed by office bearers of various Employees Association which led by Umesh Kumar Sharma, INTUC State President and Jasmir Rana, President, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh called on Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal to express thanks for acceding to their demands. This follows a meeting held by them with Chief Secretary and senior officers earlier in the day in which their demands were discussed.
Chief Minister said that Government had always been alive to the welfare of the employees of the HRTC and had released grant in aid amounting to Rs. 613 crore since the present Government took over as against Rs. 304.6 crore provided by the Congress Government during its five years of regime.
Prof. Dhumal assured that in future also the Government would provide financial assistance to HRTC so as to strengthen its functioning and also ensuring better transport facilities to the people.
Earlier in the meeting held with the Chief Secretary S.Roy and other senior officers, it was agreed that a committee would be set up to study the pros and cons of converting Himachal Road Transport Corporation into Himachal Roadways in which representatives of Government and Employees Associations of the Corporation would be included.
It was agreed in the meeting that 20 percent of grant being given by the Government would be deposited in the Pension Trust. It was further agreed that in future one paisa per kilometre of the charges being taken from the passengers would be deposited in the Pension Trust. In case after that if there was shortfall in the pension trust the Government would consider to meet it. It was agreed to regularise the women water carriers appointed on contract basis in the Corporation. It was agreed to release OTA/NOA allowances balance amount by the Government. The amount accrued due to revision of pay scales from 26th August, 2009, the details of the same would be submitted to the Government on which the decision would be taken accordingly. To adjust booking agents against the post of contract conductors, it was decided that since the matter was under active consideration of the Hon’ble Court let its decision be awaited. To make payment of balance amount of new pay scales, the State Government had released Rs. 50 crore which had been given to the employees and it was further decided to provide Rs. 24 crore to make the balance amount. Further it was decided to release Rs. four crore to give leave encashment to those who gets pension and remaining amount would be released within 15 days. To fill up functional posts in the Corporation, the matter would be put up before the Board of Directors to fill up on contract basis.
It was further decided to give pay band and grade pay to the contract conductors which would be applicable from 15th June, 2012.
