Himachal Government Imposes ESMA, Stops HRTC Employees’ Strike

June 23, 2026

In Himachal Pradesh, the wheels of government buses will stop from 12 o’clock tomorrow (Wednesday). After this announcement of Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) employees, the state government has banned their strike by implementing the Essential Service Maintenance Act (ESMA). But the staff is ready for an all-out battle.

At the same time, after the orders issued by the ACS Transport Department, HRTC employees will not be able to go on strike for the next six months. The government has imposed ESMA restrictions to stop the proposed strike of HRTC employees.

The government made it clear in the orders that public transport services are very important for the movement of passengers, supply of essential commodities and public welfare. Any strike may cause inconvenience to the general public and affect essential services.

The notification clarifies that no employee can initiate, join or promote a strike. Violation of the rules will lead to legal action under ESMA.

The government ordered the Managing Director of HRTC to strictly implement the notification and immediately report any violation to the government. Instructions have also been given to provide necessary support to the DC and SP.

Talks with the transport secretary remained inconclusive.

The HRTC employees had warned the government of a strike from the night of June 24. In view of this, a meeting of these employees was held at the Secretariat with Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Transport RD Nazim this morning. But the meeting was inconclusive.

Protest at Shimla’s Purana Bus Stand

After this, the employees announced a protest against the government at the old bus stand in Shimla. After the strike of HRTC employees, the people of the state will have to face problems. Especially the people of rural areas will have more problems, because HRTC buses are the main means of movement of people in rural and inaccessible areas.

The people of the state will have to face problems

Due to their strike, the general public in Himachal will have to face problems, as more than 80 percent of the state is the largest mode of transport. The rail and air networks are negligible. In such a situation, the strike of HRTC workers is sure to have a massive impact on the public.

Wheels of 2800 buses will be stopped

About 2800 buses of HRTC are providing services in the state. Most of these buses serve rural areas. Due to their strike, school children will have to face problems in reaching school, employed and working people to reach office and their workplace. Similarly, government buses also go outside the state. It is also set to have an impact on the services of external states.

Pensioners also came out in support

Here, HRTC pensioners and other employee organizations have also extended support to the movement. The Himachal Transport Retired Employees Council has demanded the government to release the pending financial benefits of the employees at the earliest. Council officials say that it is not appropriate to keep the payment of hard-earned money of the employees deferred.

Rs 20 crore released to pay medical bills

However, after the warning of HRTC employees, the government has released Rs 20 crore for the payment of medical bills. This amount will be used to pay pending medical bills till March 2026. This is expected to benefit about 11,000 working employees and about 8,000 pensioners.