SURAT, July 12: The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation's privatisation move came under fire at the convention of South Gujarat units of ST employees unions.The convention was addressed by former chief minister Amarsinh Chaudhary, Indian National Trade Union Congress' state unit president Dahyabhai Pilwaikar and ST Employees Union president Satubha Gohil.Chaudhary said persons who are not fit to become village sarpanch were holding the chairmanship of some government undertakings, including GSRTC.This was reflected in the way the ST corporation was being run, he claimed.State transport was a public utility and could not be rubbished for making losses. The ST was providing services to nearly 80 per cent area of the state, something that is beyond the reach of private operators. He alleged that senior officers were pursuing the agenda of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in their official works also. He warned VHP activists against threatening union leaders with police action.Gohil while criticising the proposed privatisation alleged that the government was trying to scuttle the union activity and said the move will boomerang on it. He exhorted employees to prepare themselves for agitation if government went ahead with its drive.Pilwaikar accused the government of attempting to divide employees and their unions along caste lines. No private bus would be allowed to ply in the GSRTC premises, he said. Local leaders also spoke on the occasion.
