Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Nov 13: The protest dharna, proposed to be held by the District Bus Employees' Association on November 14 in the backdrop of the government's proposal to nationalise both the city and the district bus routes has been withdrawn.

The meeting of the Bus Employees' Association held under the presidentship of Ivan D'Souza on Wednesday November 12, took cognizance of the fact that the district-in-charge minister and the local Member of Parliament have confirmed that private bus movement in these regions will never be withdrawn and that bus owners have, through press advertisements, thanked them for this assurance. The meeting welcomed the move of the government to allow private operators to continue to work in city and rural roads.

It was decided to urge the government to pay salaries, provide  insurance cover, extend benefits like  pension and other  on par with the KSRTC employees to all those who work in private buses. A delegation will be deputed to the department of labour to start domiciliary activities on these proposals on November 14. The meeting also decided to approach the transport officer and the superintendent of police to take preemptive measures on accidents and intense competition that might arise out of competition between government and private buses in future.

Association general secretary Jairaj Jappinamogeru, treasurer Krishna D Kanchan, vice-president Gururaj Pumpwell and several other office bearers were present at the meeting.

In the meantime, the district committee of the Democratic Youth Federation of India has, through a press release, urged the government not to dither from its decision to nationalize all the bus routes in the district. It said that several private bus owners have monopolized a number of routes in the district and are blocking efforts to introduce other buses on these routes.  The private buses are neglecting rural routes and cancelling trips whenever the number of passengers is less, leave passengers stranded in bus stands in the name of catching up with timings etc. It has also requested the government to absorb private bus employees in the services of the KSRTC at the time of nationalization.