CHENNAI: The Southern State Omni Bus Federation withdrew their strike on Tuesday after the State transport officials assured action on their demands.
Today, when the Southern State Omni Bus Federation announced a strike, another bus union, the Tamil Nadu Omni Bus Owners Association, said its services would continue, which created confusion among the passengers.
Earlier, the Southern State Omni Bus Federation, announced in a statement that the Omni buses won’t function starting at 6pm on Tuesday in protest against the impounding or seizure of 120 omnibuses by transport department officials in Tamil Nadu.
“For the past 10 days with inspection from Anna Nagar Joint Commissioner and Local Transport Officials, there were no high ticket price complaints, but still, during Vijayadashami and Aiyutha Pooja 4 days without any wrongdoing, 120 Omni buses were imprisoned, alleging high ticket prices. Condemning this and demanding to stop imprisoning the Omni buses, on October 24 at 6 pm Omni buses won’t function,” as per the statement.
The Tamil Nadu Omni Bus Owners Association, however, differed with the Southern State Omni Bus union, claiming that what the bus owners needed at this point was help from the government.
“Impounding Omni buses is true. That is due to the registration of buses in other states, which is creating losses to Tamil Nadu revenue. We need government support; there is no strike. We don’t know about other association strikes,” TN Omni Bus Association General Secretary Maran had said.
Even as confusion prevailed the Joint Transport Commission in the KK Nagar Transport Office called representatives of the Southern States Omni Buses Association for a discussion with the Joint Transport Commissioner.
Speaking to the press, the Southern States Omni Buses Federation – All Omni Bus Owners and Operators Association then announced that they were withdrawing their strike.
All Omni Bus Operators and Owners Association President Anbalagan, speaking to ANI, said, “Omni Buses would function as usual as our two demands–impounding buses on false ground and detaining vehicles at late hours were accepted by the officials.”
The group claims that the problem was brought on by transport officials who suggested that the Omni buses’ All India Permit be changed to their Tamil Nadu Permit. In Tamil Nadu, many Omni buses are running under Nagaland registration. The transport officials have given orders to change the permit to Tamil Nadu registration, for which associates allege huge expenses need to be incurred when compared to other states. (ANI)