NEW DELHI: Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot on Wednesday asked Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal to intervene in the ongoing strike by DTC contractual workers – which has been undertaken despite imposition of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) – and to take action against miscreants who attacked the workers.
"I have been trying to speak and meet Hon'ble @LtGovDelhi since last 2 days over the issue of DTC strike and safety and security of DTC employees on Duty. contractual workers continue to strike and sit on Dharna despite imposition of ESMA. Would request LG to spare some time," Gahlot tweeted.
He said in a follow-up tweet, "DTC employees on duty are being threatened and beaten up by goons. Most of the contractual workers want to report and do their duties but unable to do bcos of fear created by goons. By NOT taking action against the miscreants Delhi Police is encouraging the strike."
The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) contractual drivers and conductors have been on a sit-in for the last 10 days, despite the ESMA being imposed last Saturday.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also reacted to Gahlot's tweet, posting on his Twitter handle, "Most workers want to attend work. They r being prevented by BJP goons. Police not taking action despite ESMA. LG refusing to meet. Why is LG not meeting the minister? Why is LG not directing police to act? BJP misusing LG yet again n harassing Delhiites?"
"LG has constitutional duty to direct Del police and ensure implementation of ESMA," Kejriwal further tweeted.
Terming the DTC bus services as an essential part of transport, the LG had, on Saturday, imposed the ESMA on DTC contractual workers, which prohibits them from any strike for a period of six months.
Despite the ESMA being imposed and minimum wages being restored, DTC contractual drivers and conductors continued their strike on Wednesday, with five of them going on an indefinite hunger strike.
The Transport Minister further claimed that 94 per cent of DTC buses are plying normally and wage-related demands of contractual employees have been accepted.
However, thousands of commuters in Delhi remained stranded on bus stands across the city, as many contractual DTC employees intensified their protest by going on a hunger strike.
Meanwhile, late on Wednesday, Delhi Police said it registered six criminal cases at various police stations based on complaints received in connection with the ongoing strike by the contractual DTC workers.