Busmen’s anger was just, bound to explode

Probably a strike was needed to jolt the mandarins at KSRTC and BMTC out of their stupor.

The two-day strike by BMTC and KSRTC, which crippled bus services and affected lakhs, has not only exposed the corrupt and unprofessional practices at BMTC, but has also shown the home and transport minister R Ashoka and the management in an unfavourable light.

There are allegations that Ashoka and the managing directors of KSRTC divisions and BMTC failed to gauge the growing discontent among the employees.

Consider the plight of trainee drivers. “One of the drivers has been working as trainee for more than 12 years,” said HV Anantha Subba Rao, convener, joint committee of KSRTC Employees’ Unions. “I do not know how the minister and MDs of various divisions of KSRTC will defend themselves on paying meagre salary to employees, especially those working as trainee drivers.’’
The rampant corruption among the middle-level officers of KSRTC and BMTC is another issue.

According to Rao, a KSRTC bus driver has to give money to a mechanic at the respective bus depot to ensure the bus is in a good condition. The conductor and driver have to bribe the depot manager if they want to continue on a particular route. BMTC, in Rao’s view, is not immune to corrupt practices either.

BMTC conductors have to bribe traffic inspectors before leaving the station. “If a BMTC bus is assigned to make 10 trips between KR Puram and Shivajinagar, the conductor has to pay Rs50 per day (Rs5 per trip) to the traffic inspector. To meet this unexpected expense, a conductor has to either indulge in corrupt practices or spend money from his pocket. How long can he be able to continue this?” asks a member of KSRTC Employees’ Union.
Many also feel that Ashoka was responsible for the strike spilling over to the second day.