Govt trying to hire retired staff to address the issue, but it may not be adequate
BIJAPUR; 09 April: The people of the state continue to face transport problem as the strike by KSRTC staff enters the third day in Karnataka.
The KSRTC staff has gone on strike demanding the implementation of the 6th pay commission. Meanwhile the government has not called the representatives of the association to discuss the issue. Except, Chief Minister, B. S. Yediyurappa requesting the staff to join the duty, no concrete step has been taken to resolve the impasse.
While the staff has continued its strike, government has been making attempt to allow private transport operators to provide service to the people.
However, the initiative has failed to provide any relief to the people as the private transport does not have a fleet matching to the government buses.
The present private buses which are operating, facing flack from the people that they are charging exorbitant fare by taking advantage of the situation.
Meanwhile, the government has decided to take service to retired drivers and conductors who retired couple of years ago. This is to ensure that the buses are operated for the commuters.
Though the government is hiring these staff on temporary bases, however considering the number of buses, the staff may not meet the huge demand for the drivers and conductors.
It is also not sure that how many retired drivers and conductors would show interest in rejoining the service on temporary bases.
“Of the 3,000 trainees, only about 300 have started attending work for fear of facing disciplinary action. While these employees can’t fill in for the 1.3 lakh employees who are on strike, this will definitely rattle them and unease the agitators”, an official said.
Travellers from far-flung areas as well as office-goers were the most affected.
Metro and South Western Railway (SWR) have come to the rescue of the State government by increasing the frequency of Metro service and SWR by running additional trains to various destinations.
The scenes about Transport Corporation buses remaining off the streets in the State continued and so was exorbitant fare collection by private bus operators as well as auto rickshaws.
As the State government is reluctant to invite agitating workers for talks and agitators not bulging to pressure against threats including to clamp ESMA, disciplinary action against absentees etc., there seems to be no sign of relief to the present situation so far.
With each passing day, the problem of commuters is only aggravating as many people depend on government buses, they include, students, government employees, laborers and patients.
