File photo of Arvind Kejriwal.
A section of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) drivers and conductors, employed on contractual basis, reached Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence in Ghaziabad today to press for their demand to make them permanent employees of the city's main public transport operator.
Around 1,000 drivers and conductors of the DTC gathered outside Mr Kejriwal's house to congratulate him on becoming Chief Minister of Delhi.
The DTC staff, who have been working with the public transport operator on contractual basis, shouted slogans "Arvind Zindabad", hoping that the newly sworn-in Chief Minister would work towards ending contractual employment.
"About 14,000 drivers and conductors have been hired on contractual basis by DTC. We have been working on contractual basis for around 10 years. Despite after such long service, DTC has still not made us permanent," said Mr Ramesh, a DTC driver.
Despite a number of drivers and conductors gathered outside Mr Kejriwal's house, Mr Suresh, a bus conductor, said the DTC service across Delhi would not be affected as only a section of the DTC staff had come to visit the Delhi CM.
"Kejriwal during elections promised that he would finish "Thekari Pratha" (contractual service) in Delhi after becoming Chief Minister. We are very hopeful that Kejriwal would direct DTC to make us permanent," said Mr Deshpal, a driver.
Activists of Youth Artist Society for Peace and Harmony also congratulated Mr Kejriwal and were seen celebrating outside his house.