The Raichur division of the North-Eastern Karnataka Road Transportation (NEKRTC) incurred a loss of Rs. 55 lakh on Monday as all the buses in the division remained off the road. As per the information provided by the divisional office, most of the 2,900 employees including drivers, conductors, mechanics and other office staff, participated in the strike.
“None of the buses in the division operated on Monday,” V.H. Santosh Kumar, Divisional Controller (Raichur), NEKRTC, told The Hindu .
The strike was largely peaceful in the district.
Some people broke a rear windshield of a bus near Hosalli Cross on the outskirts of Sindhanur.
“No major damage was reported in the district except in Sindhanur. Nine buses that belonged to various depots of Raichur Division were damaged at various places outside the district,” Mr. Santhosh Kumar said.
All the staff assembled at their respective divisions and sat for hours to register their protest.
“Our demands are just and reasonable. We cannot understand why the government is so adamant on the issues we raised. Our wages were revised four times in the last 16 years. The NEKRTC management never consulted employees through the registered trade union before revising the wages.
“In the last 16 years, the basic pay was hiked by 25 per cent whereas the prices of essential commodities rose four times, Even after completing 30 years in service, my salary has not yet reached Rs. 30,000,” an employee said.
Complaints
The agitating employees invariably complained of harassment by higher authorities and negligence in providing basic amenities to working staff.
“We are fined for every single mistake we commit, however minor it might be. Sometimes, considerable portion in our salary deducted as fines. Since the authorities have not put minimum amenities in place for staff, such as retiring rooms and washrooms, conductors and drivers on long-route duty have to sleep at open place or in the bus and stand in queues outside public toilets,” Siddaram, a conductor said.
