BHUBANESWAR: Ama Bus services across the state capital were severely disrupted for several hours on Monday as crew members staged dharna at the Patrapada depot here seeking fulfilment of their demands, including timely payment of remuneration.
The agitators mostly comprised the bus guides engaged by a ticket collecting agency under the Comprehensive Region Urban Transport (CRUT). Owing to the protest which began early in the morning at 5 am and continued till 1 pm, the entire fleet of 117 non-AC buses remained off roads till the afternoon, affecting public transport on 45 different routes.
The protesters alleged that they had not received salaries for more than two months. They also complained of delay in disbursement of monthly remuneration, and demanded timely wage payment, Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), insurance benefits and other safety measures for the bus guides.
Some of the staff alleged that the salary disbursement through third-party agencies was leading to delay in payment. They also claimed that those raising voice against these irregularities were being targeted and threatened regarding job loss, and sought appropriate measures in this regard.
The agitation affected passenger movement during peak office hours, with people struggling to find alternative transport. The bus service, however, resumed from 2 pm onwards after CRUT authorities intervened and assured of necessary measures.
An official from CRUT informed TNIE that the salary disbursement was slightly delayed in the recent months owing to some changes in regulations and multiple holidays in the previous week.
“The CRUT has adopted strict measures to monitor fare collection which is why we have assured the bus guides that steps will be taken for payment of their monthly wages by 10 or 12th day of every month”, the official said.
He said CRUT has also decided to conduct regular grievance meetings for the crew members. “As per the decision taken today, the ticket collecting agency will hold grievance redressal meeting of the bus guides every Monday, while a similar meeting will also be held at CRUT level every fortnight to look into their grievances,” the official informed.
