TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The Directorate of Transport has kept tourist coaches and buses on standby as employees of the KTC who have joined the striking trade unions as part of the countrywide general strike call given by the National Convention of Workers on February 20 and 21, showed no indication of calling off their strike Tuesday.
Ferry services and public sector bank operations are also likely to be affected by the strike, despite ESMA being evoked by the State government. The unions are protesting the economic policies of the UPA government at the Center and the BJP-led government in Goa.
Speaking to Herald, director of Transport Arun Dessai said that they have made all arrangements to deal with any eventuality. “Our regional offices have already got in touch with these private tourist buses by getting their cellphone numbers and they can be called within 30 minutes’ notice,” Dessai said.
While the private bus owners have not agreed to join the strike, it is the nationalised routes between Panjim Margao and Vasco that are most likely to be affected.
The strike call by the River Navigation Department employees is likely to paralyse ferry services on some of the busiest routes of the state including the crucial route to Divar island that is connected only through ferries to the rest of the state.
Schools will meanwhile function as usual with the only difference being students who use KTC transport finding it difficult to make it to school.
Meanwhile, Dessai said he has also already requisitioned the police to maintain security at the main bus-stands of the city to prevent violence of any form.
“Private buses owners have agreed to ply, provided proper security is provided to them. So there will be police stationed at the bus stands,” Dessai informed.
All major trade unions including those of nationalised banks, have called for a nation-wide two day strike to protest high inflation, fuel price increase and what they term are violations of labour laws. The strike has been supported by government employees of some departments including electricity, River Navigation and the Employees of the Kadamba Transport Corporation.
The government has evoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act, and declared the strike as illegal.
