HC: Why ESMA not invoked against striking DTC staff?

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Rekha Gupta government why ESMA provisions have not been invoked against striking DTC bus drivers and conductors. A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia also asked the Delhi government to review the situation and take a decision to ensure that buses ply. When the bench sought to know why the provisions of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) have not been invoked against the striking employees, the counsel for DTC submitted that they have sent a file to the Delhi government for invoking ESMA.

The DTC counsel further told the court that steps have been taken by the authorities to address the issue and nearly 96 per cent of the buses are now back in service. The counsel said persons involved are sending WhatsApp messages calling for the strike and vandalising buses.

The court was hearing a petition by Ami Sisodia, a woman advocate and a regular DTC commuter, seeking urgent intervention of the authorities for restoration and reasonable continuity of DTC buses across the national capital.

Bus drivers, conductors and other personnel associated with the operation of public buses have been on strike since September 15 demanding an increase in their wages and other benefits.

The petitioner said services have been substantially disrupted due to the ongoing strike by DTC bus drivers, conductors and other personnel associated with bus operations.

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