New Delhi: Delhi High Court Wednesday questioned the state govt why ESMA provisions have not yet been invoked against striking bus drivers and conductors of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC).
The counsel also said steps had been taken by the authorities to address the issue and nearly 96% of the buses were back in service. Bus drivers, conductors and other personnel associated with DTC operation have been on strike since Sept 15, demanding an increase in their wages and other benefits. A bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia also asked Delhi govt to review the situation and ensure that buses ply so that the majority of commuters are not left stranded. It also pointed at the strain on the Delhi Metro system due to increased passenger pressure caused by the disruption.
You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Delhi | Silver Rate in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Petrol Price in Delhi | Diesel Price in Delhi | CNG Price in Delhi | LPG Price in Delhi Stay updated with the latest Delhi news.
Services have been substantially disrupted, she said. If the situation does not improve within a week, the petitioner would be free to approach the court again, the bench said. The plea said the strike was also impacting lakhs of residents, students, daily-wage workers, salaried employees, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, patients and economically weaker commuters.
When the bench sought to know why Essential Services Maintenance Act has not been invoked, the DTC counsel submitted that it had recommended last week to Delhi govt to invoke ESMA. People involved are sending WhatsApp messages for continuing the strike and vandalising buses, but authorities are taking action, he added. The court was hearing a petition by Ami Sisodia, an advocate and a DTC commuter, seeking urgent intervention of the authorities for restoration and reasonable continuity of DTC buses. Taking note of the improved situation, the court disposed of the petition, saying, “We expect the state to review and take a decision as per law to ensure that the plying of DTC buses is maintained on the roads. The plea highlighted daily hardship of lakhs of commuters dependent on affordable public transportation and contended that women like the petitioner usually availed the free bus travel facility and were compelled to resort to substantially expensive alternative modes of transportation. Download the TOI App.