People play cricket at a deserted Karnataka bus stand as employees have gone on a strike. (PTI photo)
Highlights
- More than 23,000 buses are off the roads across Karnataka
- Despite government's efforts, strike affected office-goers, tourists
- Schools were closed for two days starting Monday
Schools were closed in Karnataka for two days from Monday as the state-run transport corporations, KSRTC and BMTC, went on an indefinite strike from Sunday night. The workers are demanding a pay hike that's much higher than what the government is ready to pay.
More than 23,000 buses are off the roads across the state. To fill the breach, the government had pushed 90,000 maxicabs and other buses on roads. The railways also stepped in, running frequent trains on longer routes.
The employees want a 35 per cent hike in wages, while the government is ready to give 10 per cent. Rajender Kumar Kataria, the Managing Director of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, told NDTV there was just not enough money to meet their demand.
While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, he said, preferred to give the employees a 10 per cent hike instead of the initial proposal of 8 per cent, they had reservations about it since "finances were not strong enough for 10 per cent".
"They (the employees) are asking for 35 per cent of wage hike. 35 per cent of wage hike means around additional resources of Rs 6,300 crore," he said.
At least 120 government buses were damaged by stone-throwing as part of the day's protests - resulting in an estimated loss of Rs 12 lakh.
Tuesday is also likely to see no government buses on the road, as the government and employees try to come to a compromise. With more than 1.25 crore passengers on the roads, Monday's strike distressed many despite the presence of additional buses.
Senthil Kumar was wondering how to get to office. "We are waiting for the bus for a long time. We are waiting for the bus, auto guys they are charging more... I called my manager... I informed them I will come in late," he said.
It created much trouble for tourists too. Rakesh Pradhan and Sasmita Kumari Behr, who were on a visit to Bengaluru, were flying back to Bhubaneshwar. Unaware of the strike, they were waiting in vain for a government-run airport bus.
"It is very much inconvenient for a normal passenger. It is almost 30 km to the airport. We have to catch a cab, which will cost Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 which is very expensive. "
But not everyone appeared distressed by the strike. Schoolboys Karthik and Nagaraj, found eating icecreams at the Jayanagar bus stop, didn't seem troubled to miss school - it had shut for two days following the strike.
"Because of the BMTC bus strike, they have given a holiday. They are saying there is a doubt about tomorrow also," Karthik told NDTV.