Bengaluru Transport Strike: Advisory Issued As Karnataka Govt Braces For 'Bandh'-Check What's Open & What's Not

(MENAFN- Live Mint) The employees' union of Karnataka's state-run transport corporations has announced an indefinite strike starting today, following failed talks with the government on Monday. The employees' unions remained firm on their demands for payment of 38 months' arrears and the implementation of a salary hike effective from January 1, 2024.

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To reduce traffic congestion and minimise public inconvenience during the strike, authorities have urged private IT firms-especially those in Bengaluru-to permit employees to work from home.

Private Bus Services May Step In

With a transport strike looming, the Karnataka government has assured that alternative arrangements will be made to avoid disruption for daily commuters. Authorities have reached out to private bus operators and are also looking to temporarily hire autos, taxis, and minibuses for public transport. While many private operators have shown willingness to support the plan, they've also laid out a few demands. These include a 15-day road tax exemption, a 60:40 phased permit allocation policy, a 50% waiver on digital surveillance audit fines, and stricter enforcement to stop government buses from operating illegally on private routes, according to a report by Good Returns.

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Bengaluru Gets WFH Advisory; Some Districts Unaffected

To ease pressure on city roads during the strike, IT companies in Bengaluru have been asked to allow employees to work from home starting today, local media reported. However, regions like Shivamogga, Udupi, and Mangaluru-where private bus networks are well-established-are expected to remain largely unaffected. In Uttara Kannada, KSRTC employees have chosen not to participate in the strike.

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We Are Not Happy: Transport Minister

A final round meeting took place between CM Siddaramaiah, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and the representatives of the employees' union on Monday, but nothing conclusive came out, news agency PTI reported.

"Our discussions happened on arrears of 38 months of salary and salary hike from January 1, 2024. Finally, the chief minister said that he would clear two years of arrears and asked us to give up the claim on the remaining two years' arrears. We have not agreed for it. We need 38 months' arrears," KSRTC Staff and Workers' Federation president H V Anantha Subbarao told reporters.

There was no commitment on salary hike from January 1, 2024. "We are not happy. So our strike will start from tomorrow morning," Subbarao said.

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