Ahead of curtains set to fall on the bye-elections in three days, the government has started taking stringent measures to crack down on the employees of the four Road Transport Corporations (RTCs).
In the last nine days, 52 KSRTC employees have been arrested, including 47 under the provisions of the Karnataka Essential Services Management Act (ESMA).
However, an official claimed that the Act itself has not been invoked as yet. As many as 20 employees of NEKRTC, six of BMTC and four of NWKRTC were also arrested, though not much information was available as to the provisions invoked. The total number of FIRs registered in the four Corporations reached 131.
The KSRTC dismissed 85 persons and suspended 15 others. At BMTC, disciplinary action, including dismissal, has been taken against about 500 employees. Other corporations have also initiated similar measures.
Sources said the government is likely to initiate stricter action after April 17, when the polling for bye-elections will be over. "There are ample opportunities to initiate action. The soft stance is likely to change once the polling is completed," the source said.
Strike to continue
Meanwhile, the workers and their families are set to approach their respective MLAs on Friday morning. "Starting at 11 am, please approach the MLAs of your constituency and request them to take up your issue with the government," Anand, joint secretary of the Karnataka State Road Transport Employees' League, appealed to the striking workers in a video message.
He said the strike would continue regardless of the government's tactics of suspensions, dismissals and transfers.