RTC workers announce indefinite strike from August 5 over pending demands
In a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the unions criticised the government for ignoring transport workers' grievances, including the release of pending arrears, pay revision, and timely promotions. 'Despite repeated calls for strikes, the government only holds meetings and promises resolutions in a few days or months, but nothing changes,' said H. V. Ananth Subbarao, president of the KSRTC Staff and Workers' Federation.
Among their key demands, the unions have sought an increase in various staff allowances, improved medical facilities, and regularisation of drivers and technical staff currently hired on a contract basis. They have also urged that only permanent corporation drivers be deployed to operate electric buses, not contract staff.
The union leaders argued that transport workers had played a vital role in implementing welfare schemes like the 'Shakti Scheme', which has generated goodwill and revenue for the government. 'Despite our contribution, the government has completely ignored us,' Mr. Subbarao said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Indian Express
PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Yellow Line, Bengaluru metro network expands to 96 km
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday inaugurated Bengaluru metro's Yellow Line covering a distance of 19km, connecting RV Road to Bommasandra via Electronic City. Modi also undertook a metro train ride from RV Road (Ragigudda) metro station to Electronic City with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, central ministers and other local parliamentarians and legislators. The Yellow Line has 16 stations and has been built at a cost of Rs 7,160 crore. The prime minister Sunday also laid the foundation stone of the Bengaluru metro's Phase-3 project worth over Rs 15,610 crore. The total route length of the project will be more than 44 km with 31 elevated stations. This infrastructure project is estimated to be completed by the end of 2029. Phase 3 will primarily serve underserved areas along Magadi Road and the western portion of the Outer Ring Road (ORR). According to sources, the 19-km ride on Bengaluru Metro's Yellow Line between RV Road and Bommasandra is likely to cost Rs 60 when commercial operations commence on August 11. Yellow Line operations will begin with three trains, stopping at all stations, running every 25 minutes. According to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) authorities, this will amount to around 72 trips in each direction daily, with 18 hours of service and a passenger capacity of around 2 lakh per day. The corridor runs through major tech hubs housing companies like Infosys, Wipro, Biocon, Delta, and Tech Mahindra, and will improve connectivity to residential areas, hospitals, educational institutions, and industrial zones on Hosur Road. It is also expected to ease traffic congestion at the infamous Silk Board junction. Credit war breaks out The inauguration of Bengaluru Metro's Yellow Line also triggered a political face-off, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar accusing the Union government of contributing very little towards the city's flagship infrastructure project, while the BJP claims otherwise. Siddaramaiah said the Karnataka government has borne 87.37 per cent of the cost for the metro, with the Centre's share being just 12.63 per cent. 'Although it was agreed that both governments would invest in a 50:50 ratio, the Centre's funds, other than equity, have come in the form of loans, which must be repaid with interest by the state and the metro corporation. This means the burden on the state is 87.37 per cent,' he said after the inauguration of the Yellow Line. He pointed out that the state has so far spent Rs 25,387 crore on Phases 1, 2, 2A, 2B, and 3, along with Rs 3,987 crore for loan repayment, totalling Rs 59,139 crore in allocations. The Centre, he said, has released only Rs 7,468.86 crore from its treasury. The CM appealed to PM Modi to increase central support, stressing that Bengaluru's growth is critical for the nation's economy. 'We request the central government to prioritise Karnataka just like it prioritises Maharashtra and Gujarat,' he said. Deputy CM Shivakumar reiterated the charge, stating that the state's share for Namma Metro was 80 per cent compared to the Centre's 20 per cent. 'The Centre was supposed to bear 50 per cent of the land acquisition cost for the metro, but it hasn't given. Yet, we completed the project in the city's interest. Bengaluru is the second-highest tax contributor in the country but gets very little in return,' he told reporters. Shivakumar also launched a direct attack on the BJP, saying no BJP MP from Karnataka had brought even Rs 10 in funds for Bengaluru. 'Some MPs (referring to Tejasvi Surya) think tweeting and media coverage amount to achievement. MPs must keep aside politics and work for the welfare of the people,' he said. He also accused the Centre of neglecting Karnataka, citing pending MGNREGA dues and a lack of tax devolution parity with cities like Ahmedabad.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Water woes: Tungabhadra dam faces water loss and upgrade delays
Crest Gate Replacement In A Limbo; Balancing Reservoir Needed Munirabad (Koppal): It has been a year since the 19th crest gate of the Tungabhadra reservoir was swept away on Aug 10, 2024. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Still, there are no signs that the old crest gates will be replaced. Due to the deteriorated condition of all 33 crest gates, the current water storage is limited to 80 tmcft, when compared to the total capacity of 101 tmcft. However, there are accusations that the Tungabhadra Board is still engaged in finalising the tender process. By the end of July, over 100 tmcft flowed into Andhra Pradesh. However, chief engineer L Basavaraj assures that the crest gates will be replaced soon. "Favourable monsoon conditions maintained water flow into the Tungabhadra River throughout July. Given the good rainfall, another 100 tmcft of water is likely to flow out," stated Tungabhadra Board sources. The , constructed 71 years ago, initially had a storage capacity of 133 tmcft. However, with half a tmcft of silt deposited annually, the dam's storage capacity decreased to 101 tmcft in the past thirty years. The water loss resulting from silt deposits is the state's allocation. Consequently, a plan was initiated thirty years ago to develop a balancing reservoir near Navali village in Gangavathi taluk for its storage. The detailed project report (DPR) was completed and shared with the authorities of Andhra Pradesh. Technical approval was secured, with only the political decision remaining. Nonetheless, former CM Basavaraj Bommai pointed out during his visit last year that the Siddaramaiah-led state govt has failed to take any action to speed up the process. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He urged the CM to communicate with his counterparts in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to advance the construction of the parallel dam, which could save 28 tmcft of water yearly for the state. Considering the annual yield of 400 tmcft from the Tungabhadra dam, the amount of water that will flow into Andhra Pradesh this year is estimated to be 280 tmcft. "Although the state can use half of this, we do not have any dams to store the extra water. If the Navali balancing reservoir was built, we could have expanded our irrigation area by using this water," lamented CA Galeppa, district president of Farmers' Association, Vijayanagara.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah: For 96km Metro, state spent Rs 25.3k-cr, Centre only Rs 7.4k-cr
Bengaluru: Chief minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday used the launch of the Namma Metro Yellow Line in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to point out that the central govt has contributed less than the state to the public transport project. "The agreement is that the Centre gives 50% and the state 50%. However, the state is spending more," Siddaramaiah said at the event, adding, "So far, 96.1km of Metro line work is completed. The state govt spent Rs 25,387 crore. The Centre has spent Rs 7,468.8 crore only." He said the state had also borne the burden of loan repayments. "The Centre is helping with technical and monetary assistance, hence it is called a joint collaboration. The central govt gives a loan and has kept equity. And we have to give back the loan with a rate of interest — so far, we returned Rs 3,987 crore," he told the audience at IIIT-B. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Siddaramaiah gave ridership projections for the 19.1-km Yellow Line, built at a cost of Rs 7,160 crore. "With the Yellow Line, 3.5 lakh additional commuters can travel daily. The Bengaluru Metro has 9 lakh ridership each day. Therefore, with the addition of the Yellow Line, a total of 12.5 lakh people can travel by Metro in the city daily," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo Tracing the Metro's origin, the CM said it began in 2005 during the prime ministership of Manmohan Singh, and was driven by the need to decongest the city. He outlined plans to expand the network to 220km by 2030, carrying 30 lakh passengers daily. While phases 1, 2, 2A and 2B have been completed, the foundation for phase 3 has been laid, and the DPR for 3A has been sent to the Centre for approval. Phase 4, spanning 53km, is targeted for completion by 2030. In a pointed appeal to Modi, Siddaramaiah said Karnataka had been given "stepmotherly" treatment. "Just as you are giving importance to Maharashtra and Gujarat, kindly also give importance to Karnataka and provide more support," he said. The Yellow Line launch has seen both the Congress and BJP seeking to claim credit — the state govt highlighting its financial contribution, and the Centre pointing to its role in funding and technical support. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
