Latest news with #GRShanmukhappa
Hans India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Govt releases Rs 244 cr as truckers go on strike
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has said that it has approved the release of Rs 244.10 crore to cover additional expenses such as wholesale and retail margins and transportation charges under the Annabhagya scheme for the months of February to May, 2025. This fund allocation comes in addition to a previously released grant of Rs 2,082.99 crore, which was meant for the purchase of an extra five kg of rice per beneficiary and other related costs for the four-month period, a government order issued on Monday said. The order was issued as the lorry owners transporting rice and other food grains to ration shops across Karnataka decided to go on an indefinite strike starting from Tuesday. A sum of Rs 21.79 crore from the earlier allocation remains unutilised with the Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Corporation Limited, Bengaluru, resulting in a shortfall for meeting incidental expenses, the order said. The government, upon consideration, approved the release of Rs 244.10 crore specifically to meet the costs of wholesale and retail margins and transportation charges, excluding rice procurement costs, on Monday. "The approved amount will be disbursed under the Annabhagya Scheme for the financial year 2025–26. The funds will be routed through the Khajane-2 financial management software system, directly from the administrative department to the Chief Accounts Officer, Zilla Panchayat, Bengaluru Urban District," the government order read. A senior government official ruled out any dearth of funds, and Rs 199 crore has already been released. 'We will release the amount in the next two days,' he said. GR Shanmukhappa, president of the State Lorry Owners' Association, on Tuesday announced an indefinite strike by the truckers in view of non-payment of dues worth Rs 250 crore. In a video message, Shanmukhappa said, "How can we sustain if we are not paid our four months' dues from March to June? The government has to pay us Rs 250 crore." Taking to social media platform 'X', R Ashoka, Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, hit out at the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah: "You've withheld Rs 250 crore in payments owed to lorry owners for the past six months. How are these poor lorry owners supposed to pay salaries to their drivers? How are they supposed to refuel their lorries with diesel? If the lorry strike disrupts food grain supply and delays the distribution of rations to the poor, who will take responsibility for that?" BJP state unit president BY Vijayendra has urged the Congress government to clear these long-pending dues without further delay and uphold the dignity of those who have faithfully executed their responsibilities. "This is yet another example in a long series of fiscal imprudence under the CM Siddaramaiah-led Congress government. @INCKarnataka Promised welfare, but delivered - debt and despair," he alleged in a post on 'X'.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Statewide Shutdown: Hundreds of Palike employees protest in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: Garbage was not collected and roads were not swept clean Tuesday across Bengaluru and other parts of the state as over 3,000 municipal corporation employees assembled at Freedon Park to press for their long-pending demands. The agitation, organised by BBMP Officers' and Employees' Welfare Association and Karnataka State Federation of Municipal Corporation Employees, saw participation of civic workers, engineers, health staff, revenue officers, and IT personnel from 10 municipal corporations, including Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Davangere, Belagavi, Ballari and Kalaburagi. Employees demanded withdrawal of biometric attendance system, arguing it is impractical for non-executive staff such as gardeners, gangmen and Group D workers. BBMP chief commissioner Maheshwar Rao, who met the protestors, promised that vacant posts would be filled soon and other demands would be looked into. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Truck owners call off strike The indefinite strike planned by truck owners across Karnataka from Tuesday was called off after the govt approved an additional Rs 244 crore under Anna Bhagya scheme to cover pending transportation and margin costs. "We withdraw the strike and thank the govt for responding to our concerns," said GR Shanmukhappa, president of State Lorry Owners' Association. Truckers had threatened to halt movement of essential commodities, including foodgrains to ration shops, over unpaid dues linked to implementation of the free rice scheme.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Karnataka government releases Rs 244 crore as truckers go on strike
The Karnataka government has said that it has approved the release of Rs 244.10 crore to cover additional expenses such as wholesale and retail margins and transportation charges under the Annabhagya scheme for the months of February to May, 2025. This fund allocation comes in addition to a previously released grant of Rs 2,082.99 crore, which was meant for the purchase of an extra five kg of rice per beneficiary and other related costs for the four-month period, a government order issued on Monday said. The order was issued as the lorry owners transporting rice and other food grains to ration shops across Karnataka decided to go on an indefinite strike starting from Tuesday. Rs 21.79 crore from the earlier allocation remains unutilised with the Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Corporation Limited, Bengaluru, resulting in a shortfall for meeting incidental expenses, the order said. The government, upon consideration, approved the release of Rs 244.10 crore specifically to meet the costs of wholesale and retail margins and transportation charges, excluding rice procurement costs, on Monday. Live Events "The approved amount will be disbursed under the Annabhagya Scheme for the financial year 2025-26. The funds will be routed through the Khajane-2 financial management software system, directly from the administrative department to the Chief Accounts Officer, Zilla Panchayat, Bengaluru Urban District," the government order read. A senior government official ruled out any dearth of funds, and Rs 199 crore has already been released. "We will release the amount in the next two days," he said. GR Shanmukhappa, President of the State Lorry Owners' Association, on Tuesday announced an indefinite strike by the truckers in view of non-payment of dues worth Rs 250 crore. In a video message, Shanmukhappa said, "How can we sustain if we are not paid our four months' dues from March to June? The government has to pay us Rs 250 crore." Taking to social media platform 'X', R Ashoka, Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, hit out at the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah: "You've withheld Rs 250 crore in payments owed to lorry owners for the past six months. How are these poor lorry owners supposed to pay salaries to their drivers? How are they supposed to refuel their lorries with diesel? If the lorry strike disrupts food grain supply and delays the distribution of rations to the poor, who will take responsibility for that?" BJP State President BY Vijayendra has urged the Congress government to clear these long-pending dues without further delay and uphold the dignity of those who have faithfully executed their responsibilities. "This is yet another example in a long series of fiscal imprudence under the CM Siddaramaiah-led Congress government. @INCKarnataka Promised welfare, but delivered - debt and despair," he alleged in a post on 'X'.
