Belagavi: Transport Department has incurred losses of over Rs. 4,000 crore in the last 15 months due to COVID-19 situation and employees’ strike, Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi said here on Saturday.

After the first wave of COVID-19, KSRTC staff went on strike and by the time it ended, the second wave of the pandemic struck, he told mediapersons.

Savadi, who also holds the Transport Ministry portfolio, said despite the Department suffering revenue losses, employees have been paid full salaries. Around Rs. 2,600 crore has been availed from the Government to meet financial demands, he said.

Currently, buses are allowed to run with 50 percent occupacy. “The revenue generated will not even meet the expenditure of fuel and salaries. We have to ask for money from the Government to pay salaries and it is unavoidable,” he added.

Over Employee Unions threatening to go on strike after July 5, he said the Union leaders have assured they will not go on strike during these difficult times.

The Transport Minister claimed that during the discussions, Union leaders confessed that they had fallen prey to conspiracy which led to strike.