Rewari, November 5: Haryana Roadways employees called off their 18-day strike and joined back their duties on Saturday, but due to this, the first-ever woman conductor employed by the state government has lost her job. The 32-year-old Sharmila, a resident of Rewari district is a differently abled mother of two daughters. She was given a three-month contractual job by the Manohar Lal Khattar government roadways employees went on a strike. Sharmilla was sacked from the job on Sunday.

She suffered 40% disability in one of her legs. Sharmilla expressed disappointment on state government’s decision of sacking her. She told Hindustan Times, “The government has ruined my Diwali. I was hoping to get a permanent job since the government talks about Beti Bachao Beti Padhao. Two more women joined as conductors in roadways after me.”

Last month, state roadways employees went on a strike on October 16 despite the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) being in force against the privatisation of Haryana transport system. According to a report published in Hindustan Times, the state government sacked 105 drivers and 130 conductors who were hired to during the strike. There are 130 roadways buses in Rewari. Sacked employees also stage dharnas and protested against the government’s decision to fire them.

There are about 19,000 employees in the Haryana Roadways, catering to 12 lakh passengers daily with a fleet of 4,100 buses. Earlier this year, 30-year-old Archana had become the first and only woman driver of the Karnal city bus service.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 05, 2018 11:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).