Pune: The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has issued a notification ordering its workers to join by 5 pm on Tuesday or be ready to face action. 

The stern warning follows the indefinite strike called by the ST Workers' Union from Monday midnight. 

A press release issued by the department stated, “All workers and staff have been directed to join duty by 5 pm on Tuesday, failing which legal action will be taken against them. The honourable court has ordered the workers not to go on strike.” 

“The Maharashtra government has declared the State Transport as a public service provider. If employees of the State public utility go on strike, they will be sent to jail or will face punishment. The court has banned any sort of gherao, protest or delay in work,” said the release. 

Hanumant Tate, a leader of Maharashtra ST Kamgar Sanghatana, said, “We have not received any letter from the department. Our strike will continue till our demands are met. We have conveyed our message to the government that we are ready to talk. We are aware of people being inconvenienced. At least for the sake of passengers, the government should hold negotiations.”