Himachal Pradesh News
HRTC Employees Protest Intensifies: Sukhu Government Faces Backlash Over Union Leader’s Transfer, Statewide Bus Strike Warning From June 24
The ongoing conflict between HRTC employees and the Sukhu-led Himachal Pradesh government has taken a sharp turn after the transfer of HRTC Drivers’ Union State President Man Singh Thakur from Shimla to Chamba. The move has triggered strong criticism from employee unions, who have termed the transfer an act of retaliation rather than an administrative decision made in public interest.
The ongoing conflict between HRTC employees and the Sukhu-led Himachal Pradesh government has taken a sharp turn after the transfer of HRTC Drivers’ Union State President Man Singh Thakur from Shimla to Chamba. The move has triggered strong criticism from employee unions, who have termed the transfer an act of retaliation rather than an administrative decision made in public interest.
The protest movement, which began through ‘gate meetings’ on June 9, has now gained momentum across several HRTC depots. Employees continue to raise concerns over their pending financial dues and demand that the government clear every outstanding payment before initiating transfers or taking disciplinary measures against union representatives.
During a gate meeting held in Mandi, HRTC Drivers’ Union State Chief Advisor Deepak Raj Sharma alleged that the corporation management and the government acted in haste by transferring Man Singh Thakur after the recent protest gathering in Shimla. According to him, the decision reflects the administration’s attempt to put pressure on employees who are raising their legitimate concerns.
Sharma stated that HRTC employees are no longer willing to remain silent and that the current agitation will continue until their demands are addressed. He emphasized that employees are seeking the release of every pending amount owed to them and warned that the workforce will not be discouraged by transfer orders or administrative actions.
The dispute has now reached a critical stage, with HRTC employee unions issuing a clear warning to the state government. They have announced that if a satisfactory solution is not reached by June 23, HRTC bus services across Himachal Pradesh could be completely suspended from June 24, potentially affecting thousands of daily commuters.
With the deadline approaching, all eyes are now on the Sukhu government and HRTC management as employees await a concrete response to their long-standing demands.
