Bengaluru, Jul 25: Lakhs of commuters are stranded across the state as members of the KSRTC Staff and Worker's Federation started their indefinite strike from last night, demanding at least 30 per cent hike in their salaries and other perks.
The state government made alternative arrangements for the people and also empowered Deputy Commissioners to declare two-day holiday for schools and colleges in their respective districts.
In Bengaluru Urban, Mysuru and most other districts, the schools and colleges will be closed on Monday and Tuesday. Some schools in Bengaluru announced holiday on Monday and said they would take a decision later on closing the institutions on Tuesday. Some private schools in the city had not sent out information to the parents about the closure, leaving the parents angry and confused.
However, schools and colleges will remain open in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district. In Bengaluru Urban, holidays are only for classes below second PUC. Ahead of the protest, members of the federation had taken KSRTC and BMTC buses off the road on Sunday evening, as talks between the Federation and the government failed.
The impact of the strike call was felt from Sunday evening itself. Around 150 buses stayed off the road as second shift employees of Rajarajeshwarinagar depot in the city stayed away from the work. Similar situation was reported in other depots of the city.
To control the crisis, the government has allowed private buses to ply within city limits. Maxi-cabs and mini-buses too have been allowed to run their vehicles during the course of the strike.
Frequency of Metro Train services will also be increased, with a train scheduled every five to six minutes during the duration of the protest. Based on demand, timing of the last train is also expected to be extended till 11 pm.
Don't inconvenience people
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has requested KSRTC and BMTC staff to call off their indefinite stir plan in view of inconvenience to general public. In a press release here, he said KSRTC has won several laurels as the best state transport corporation in the entire country, thanks to its staff and employees.
The decision to hike 10 per cent salary was taken after taking into account the financial condition of all four corporations and BMTC. The government would consider their demands in the coming days. Going on an indefinite strike would cause hardship to poor and needy people and especially poor patients. The government is ready for talks if the employees drop their strike plan, he said.
Autos, cabs warned
Keeping a close watch on errant autorickshaw drivers, taxis and private bus operators, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) R. Hithendra said that suitable action will be initiated against those who try to take advantage of two-day bus strike and fleece the passengers.
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