KSRTC indefinite strike from Jul 25 to leave Bengaluru paralysed; holiday for schools announced
New Delhi, July 24: The Karnataka government on Sunday declared two-day holidays for schools and colleges from July 25 due to KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) and BMTC strike.
KSRTC and BMTC bus workers had earlier informed that they will go on indefinite strike from Sunday midnight.
"All schools across the state will remain closed on Monday and Tuesday to avoid inconvenience to students, as the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation's (KSRTC) employees will be on strike after Sunday midnight," an official said.
The state government has also declared two day holiday for all colleges in only Bengaluru, as the state-run Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation employees are joining the strike for 35 per cent hike in salary.
Defying appeals by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy to give up the strike in public interest, around 1.23 lakh employees of the corporation's unions have decided to stay away from work from Monday onwards.
"As the state government is not ready to give us more than 10 per cent hike despite cost of living going up steeply, we will not operate bus services from Monday till our 35 percent hike demand is met," KSRTC staff and federation general secretary H.V. Anatha Subbarao told reporters after talks with Reddy failed again earlier in the day.
About 23,000 state-run buses will stay off roads, state and national highways, affecting intra and inter-state services and disrupting passengers' movement.
"The state government is not in a position to meet the union's demand as 35 per cent hike in salaries will burden the state exchequer by Rs 4,550 crore. We are ready to give 10 per cent increase," Reddy told reporters after talks with the union's representatives.
Reddy also claimed that KSRTC employees' wages were higher than their counterparts in the neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Maharashtra.
Other unions have also decided to support the indefinite strike in order to get their demands fulfilled.
OneIndia News
(With inputs from agencies)