School bus operators have again threatened to go on a state-wide strike; this time, for an indefinite period from February 6.
Citing harassment from transport officials against bus operators, and their drivers and conductors, the School Bus Operators’ Association (SBOA) made this announcement on Monday.
Anil Garg, SBOA state president, said the call was taken a meeting on January 28. “A notice on this has already been served to the chief minister, the transport commissioner and the principal secretary (transport). We do not want school children to be inconvenienced, but we are compelled to go on a strike. At least 400 buses are plying ‘illegally’, as the transport officials insist on adhering to the school bus policy norms even before the final word is out from the technical committee formed to address our concerns.”
Jayant Jain, president of the Forum for Fairness in Education, said bus operators should have taken the issue up with the government. “The strike is unethical, especially since students have their examinations.”
State transport commissioner VN More said, “We are taking a second look at school bus operators’ objections and are exploring how their concerns can be taken on board. I had received a letter earlier, about a strike on January 26. Now, I hear about one on February 6. What is the point of going on a strike before even trying to talk to us? This seems to be an effort to force us not to crack down on those flouting norms.”
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