Worst time to go on strike, resume operation of buses, Karnataka HC tells employees
The court said it cannot be disputed that disruption of bus services of four entities has affected the common man at a time when the entire state is undergoing a sudden surge in COVID-19 cases
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Private buses queued up inside the Majestic bus terminus as KSRTC bus employees continue their strike in Bengaluru. (Photo | Ashishkrishna HP, EPS) By Express News Service
BENGALURU: Observing that it’s the worst time to go on strike as the entire state is in the grip of COVID-19, the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday said the employees of four state-run transport corporations should come forward to resume operation of buses immediately, so that the common man does not suffer further.
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AAA A group of Road Transport Corporations (RTC) employees and their family members, including several kids, who gathered at Kandaya Bhavan to protest demanding implementation of the sixth pay commission for RTC employees as part of the ongoing strike were detained by cops.
The State government has banned all protests till April 20 in view of the second wave of COVID-19. However, the striking RTC employees have been holding protests in front of tahsildar and DC offices across the State on Monday, the sixth day of the strike. Bus services continue to be hit on Monday.
“The government has ruled out any negotiations and is resorting to draconian measures to break the strike, leaving us with no option but to protest. Now even protests are banned. How is this a democracy?,” questioned Kodohalli Chandrashekhar, honorary president, KSRTC Employees League.
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Bus services continue to be hit in Karnataka.
Bus services were hampered for the sixth consecutive day in Karnataka, as the strike by the employees of the road transport corporations on wage related issues continued on Monday. With a stalemate between the government and employees of the four transport corporations in the state, over their demand for wages as per the 6th Pay Commission continuing, majority of the workers did not turn up for work, resulting in buses remaining off road, affecting commuters.
Amid threats of tough action, no work no pay , few RTC employees have returned to work and are operating buses on some routes in the city and different parts of the state.
“The government has agreed eight out of nine demands and we have already announced their implication. But, it is not possible to meet the ninth demand of implantation of the 6th pay commission. We appeal the employees to call off the strike,” said chief secretary P Ravi Kumar following a meeting of officials convened by chief minister BS Yediyurappa.
Hike in their salary in accordance with the recommendation of the 6th pay commission on par with the government employees has been the main demand of the employees of all four transport corporations.
“The government wants to effect an 8 per cent salary hike immediately, but the election code of conduct prevents it. I have written to the Election Commission of India seeking its permission. The salary hike will be announced immediately if we get the approval, otherwise we need to wait till the elections are over,” said Ravi Kumar.