The long-standing strike by the HRTC Drivers’ Union came to an end late Tuesday evening after a successful meeting with Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri at his residence. The meeting addressed several long-pending demands of the union and helped restore trust between the employees and the state government. Key outcomes included the designation of 205 senior-most HRTC drivers as “Designated Senior Drivers” (a non-monetary title), clearance of six months’ worth of pending medical reimbursement claims, and the provision of two uniform sets to all drivers. Additionally, the government decided to release one installment of the pending night overtime allowance with the July salary and the second with the August salary.
In a significant move benefiting pensioners, the state government approved a ₹150 crore loan to HRTC from a government bank, backed by a state guarantee. The interest on this loan will be borne by the Himachal Pradesh government, and the proposal will be placed before the State Cabinet for final approval. Deputy CM emphasized the government’s sensitivity to the concerns of both employees and pensioners and assured that all genuine issues would be resolved in a timely manner. The meeting was attended by HRTC Managing Director Dr. Nipun Jindal, union president Man Singh Thakur, and other senior officials and union members.
