To launch indefinite stir from Jan.30 seeking fulfilment of demands

Mysuru: More than 1,000 KSRTC workers from across 14 divisions, took part in the day-long convention organised under the banner of KSRTC Staff and Workers Federation at the Town Hall here yesterday.

Addressing the workers, the Federation General Secretary H.V. Anantha Subba Rao cautioned the Government of using ESMA against KSRTC staff in order to crush their struggle.

Warning Chief Minister Siddharamaiah not to take the KSRTC workers lightly, Rao urged the Government to fulfil their demands.

Alleging widespread corruption in the State-run Transport Corporations, he warned of launching an indefinite stir from Jan.30, if the Government does not pay heed to their demands. He further said that corrupt officials were out to crush the rights of workers.

Lashing out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Anantha Subba Rao said that the PM was attempting to snatch the rights of the common man. He also hit out at Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde for making unconstitutional and communal remarks, which were aimed at dividing the society, AITUC General Secretary D.A. Vijaya Bhaskar in his address, said that the convention was aimed at seeking fulfilment of their 42-point charter of demands which was put forward to the Government in July, 2016.

Alleging corruption in the four State Transport Corporations, he said that 250 Airavat buses were lying idle in Bengaluru.

Terming the Airavat buses as ‘white elephants’ due to their high maintenance cost, he said that the BMTC’s decision to ply electric buses, each costing Rs. 3 crore, reeked of corruption.

Earlier, the workers marched in a procession from people’s park in Nazarbad passing through Hardinge Circle, Albert Victor Road and Chamaraja Wadiyar Circle to reach the Town Hall. AITUC Secretary H.R. Seshadri, the Federation office-bearers T.L. Rajagopal, G.T. Rangegowda and others were present.