The Hindu : New Delhi News : DTC staff stage dharna

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Friday, Jan 21, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

DTC staff stage dharna

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JAN. 20. A large number of Delhi Transport Corporation employees today held a day-long dharna (sit-in protest) at various depots in West Zone to protest against the privatisation and increased contractual work in the Corporation.

In this the fourth round of protests under the banner of DTC Bachao Sangharsh Morcha, the activists called upon the Delhi Government to withdraw anti-worker policies and warned that if their demands were not met they would intensify the protests and join hands with workers of health, electricity and water departments who too are protesting against privatisation in their departments.

During the course of the dharna today, workers held meetings at the Shadipur, Naraina, Mayapuri, Hari Nagar, Peeragarhi and Keshavpur depots and were addressed by leaders of the three leading unions -- Delhi Parivahan mazdoor Sangh, DTC Workers' Union and DTC Workers' Unity Centre.

In their addresses, the conveners of the Morcha, Ramesh Ponia, N.M. Thomas and Raja Ram Tyagi, accused the Delhi Government of bringing in privatisation and contractual work in the corporation in the guise of restructuring. Rather than following the slogan of "Congress ka hath aam aadmi ke saath" they said, the Government was trying to benefit a few capitalists at the cost of the poor employees.

Claiming that efforts were also on to implement the report of Tata Consultancy Services by dividing the Corporation and privatising it, the leaders said plans are being drawn to lay off a large number of employees. As such, they warned that if these plans were not withdrawn they would join hands with workers in other departments and intensify the agitation.

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