Srinagar, Aug 7: The J&K State Road Transport Corporation employees’ strike has badly affected the public distribution system in the state.
 The corporation employees are protesting for last five days against the proposed shifting of SRTC office to Nowgam. The vehicles of the corporation of off the roads for five days.
 According to sources the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department (CAPD), which avails transport fleet from SRTC to ferry ration has been badly affected by the strike of employees. 
 “For last four days, we are facing problems due to non- availability of SRTC vehicles for ferrying ration items like rice, atta, sugar etc,” an official wishing not be named said.
 He said: “If strike prolongs it will result in shortage of ration at various ration depots of the department in different parts of the state.”

Ladakh supplies
 Interestingly, around this time every year the SRTC vehicles remain busy transporting ration to Ladakh, as the road leading to the hilly area remains cut off from October onwards due to snow. 
 “Usually 500 SRTC trucks transport material to Ladakh during these months out of which it earns Rs 20 crore,” sources said, adding that however due to strike the corporation may have to part with these earnings.  
 
Protest
 Meanwhile, the employees today held a protest demonstration against the decision of state government to demolish the office of the corporation and construct Tehzeeb Mahal in its place.
 When contacted Managing Director, JKSRTC, J S Tandon said: “Today the Deputy Commissioner visited the site and earmarked land where SRTC can have their office and booking counter and continue their work.”
 “I am hopeful that from tomorrow employees will get back to their work as their demand has been fulfilled,” Tandon said.
 But chairman, JKSRTC employees’ union, Shakeel Ahmad said: “District administration has earmarked a land measuring 100 x 60 sqft. How can we have an office and booking counter in such a small place?”
 Shakeel said: “The strike will continue till government accepts our demand. They are taking away our prime land at TRC and giving us land at Nowgam which is an underdeveloped area and far away from the city. It is a ploy of government to deprive the corporation of its assets,” he said. 
 To mention, JKSRTC employees went on strike following state government’s plan to construct a Tehzeeb Mahal at the site and provide the SRTC alternate land at Nowgam.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 7 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 7 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 8 Aug 2012 00:00:00 IST