The bus strike in Karnataka was called on Wednesday
Karnataka government has announced a 12.5% pay hike for transport employees after an indefinite strike which had hit the normal life in the state. The employees have called off the three-day strike on Wednesday.
The workers had earlier demanded a 35% hike but the government had said it would not go beyond 10% but the stand-off ended with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announcing the 12.5% hike.
Since Monday, most schools and colleges were closed on account of the strike which began at midnight on Sunday. 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.
For student like Preetina, who couldn't attend their college this week, the strike was like a holiday and a "huge mess". "It is a holiday for three days. Not everyone can afford autos and the cabs. It is a huge mess," she said
Robinson, an office-goer said, "I am going in my own private vehicle, adding more vehicles on the road, creating more jams on the road. I would request the honourable chief minister and the unions to come discuss and amicably settle it, to reduce the inconvenience to the public."
The move comes as a huge relief for the estimated one crore 25 lakh people, who use the government buses everyday.