Shimla, May 13
Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) employees have not received their salaries even by the 13th day of the month, triggering widespread anger among staff and leading to protests by the driver-conductor union at the Old Bus Stand in Shimla.
Following a strike warning, the corporation released salaries late in the evening in only three depots, while employees in the remaining 27 depots are still awaiting their payments. The delay has intensified workers’ resentment, prompting the union to issue a strong ultimatum to the government and HRTC management.
The driver-conductor union warned that if salaries are not credited to all employees’ accounts by 12 noon on Monday, bus services across Himachal Pradesh will be completely halted. The union also cautioned that, from next month onward, salaries must be disbursed on the first day of every month; failing which, they will launch a statewide agitation.
Union president Man Singh Thakur said that despite the strike threat, salaries were released only in a few depots in a hurried manner, while a large number of employees continue to suffer. He added that if the pending salaries are not released between 12 and 1 pm, the union will be forced to stop bus operations across the state.
Blaming the government and corporation management for the ongoing crisis, Thakur said that financial losses are often cited as a reason, but poor policy decisions and administrative failures are responsible for the situation. He also criticized certain policies, calling them financially unsustainable.
The union further stated that employees are working with full dedication despite financial hardship and deserve timely payment. It warned that if the issue persists, agitation will intensify in the coming days, potentially disrupting public transport services across Himachal Pradesh.
