Himachal Transport Workers Demand Timely Salaries Amid Financial Crisis

Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation employees are protesting in Shimla, demanding immediate payment of pending salaries. Union leader Mansingh Thakur claims employees face severe financial stress, blaming inadequate disbursal by the management. The union warns of a work boycott if salaries are not consistently paid on time, exacerbating the crisis.

The Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) Employees Union organized demonstrations in Shimla on Wednesday, demanding the immediate release of overdue salaries. The protests come amid warnings of potential work stoppage if salaries are not disbursed punctually each month.

During the protest, Mansingh Thakur, the State President of the HRTC Employees Union, highlighted that salaries had not been released across most of the corporation's units, despite management assurances. Thakur noted that employees in 28 depots faced financial hardships due to salary delays.

Thakur emphasized that HRTC had historically relied on government subsidies and grants since its inception in 1974. He argued that insufficient revenue was compounded by free travel schemes, placing an undue financial burden on the corporation. The union insists that if salaries remain unpaid by the first of each month, including those of drivers, conductors, and mechanics, protests could intensify.