Mysore/Mysuru: Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Devegowda has asked KSRTC authorities not to penalise tempo owners who have been ferrying passengers from Yelwal to city daily. The MLA’s ‘direction’ comes following an appeal from tempo owners who complained of fines levied by KSRTC authorities.

A delegation of tempo drivers and owners met the MLA who had come to take part in a Government programme at Kalamandira on Thursday and submitted a memorandum to him explaining their plight. 

Acting on their plea, Devegowda called KSRTC Mysuru City Divisional Controller Nagaraj over phone and asked him not to penalise the owners and drivers of tempos which travel between Yelwal and city.

Nagaraj told the MLA that the tempo drivers stop at the entry of KSRTC Bus Stand  and at bus shelters for picking up passengers which was against rules. Also, they are often found preventing passengers from boarding KSRTC buses. Private passenger vehicles are barred from stopping within 200 mts. distance from the KSRTC Bus Stands or shelters for picking up passengers. As such, only those tempo drivers found violating the rule are being penalised and there is nothing wrong in it, Nagaraj pointed out. 

After hearing Nagaraj’s reply, the MLA advised tempo drivers and owners to follow the rules and avoid getting penalised.