Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act invoked against striking BEST drivers and conductors. This in effect means, any person who continues to remain on strike under the act, can be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with a fine.

Lakhs of commuters in Mumbai suffered for a second day in a row as BEST buses continue to be off roads on Wednesday.

The drivers and conductors, who bunked en masse on Tuesday, have not reported for duty this morning, sources said.

A senior BEST official said that the department may take punitive action against those participating in the strike and refusing to come back.

The Bombay high court too had asked BEST employees on Tuesday to resume work. 

ESMA is an act of Parliament, which was established to ensure the delivery of certain services, which if obstructed would affect the normal life of the people. This included services like public transport (bus services), health services (doctors and hospitals).