Drivers and operators of the Himachal Pradesh Roadways Bus Transport Corporation (HRTC) have protested against the Section Officer of Chamba and the management. The drivers' and operators' union held a demonstration in Shimla, accusing the Section Officer appointed in Chamba of financial irregularities. They warned that if no action is taken against this official within 24 hours, bus services in Chamba will cease from October 8, and across the entire state from October 9.
The chairman of the HRTC union, Man Singh Thakur, stated that the HRTC Section Officer in Chamba is constantly committing financial fraud, and the blame is being shifted onto conductors. He emphasized that the drivers and operators will not tolerate the arbitrary actions of the Section Officer. Furthermore, the management is defending this Section Officer while the drivers and operators are subjected to unjustified pressure.
Despite more than twenty days passing, no action has been taken against the Section Officer. Therefore, such behavior by the management is unacceptable. Man Singh Thakur warned that if measures are not taken against the Section Officer within 24 hours, buses in the Chamba depot will be stopped from October 8. On the first day, bus movement in the Chamba region will cease, and if the management does not react after that, bus service across all of Himachal Pradesh will be completely blocked from October 9.
In addition, the drivers' and operators' union accused the management of failing to replenish the GPF accounts of HRTC drivers and operators for three months, even though the funds are deducted from their salaries. If the management does not deposit the drivers' GPF into their accounts, a major protest against the management will begin.