DTC strike Day 2: Drivers given 3-hour notice as Delhi govt invokes ESMA

Following the fatal incident of an employee of Delhi Transport Corporation, the employees of DTC called for State wide strike demanding compensation of Rs One crore to the bereaved family. In spite of the State Government promising compensation of Rs 5 Lakhs and a job to one of the family members, the employees are relenting to call-off the strike. The strike which began on Monday entered its second day while commuters are stranded for alternative transport.

ESMA clamped on agitating employees

Effectively, the transport services in National Capital remained crippled on second day also in spite of clamping the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA). Transport Minister Gopal Raj said that stringent action will first be taken against agitating staff who do not join the duty and further, if they do not joint he duty, they will be removed from employment. The roll out of ESMA came after commuters in the city faced difficulty when more than 4000 DTC buses did not budge from the depots.

DTC’s loss- Metro’s gain

Though very few buses seen in some areas, the commuters are forced to depend largely on alternate transport arrangements. The already crowded Delhi Metro has clocked a record footfall of 23 Lakhs on Monday.