Striking RTC employees, government remain firm

Strike to continue on Monday too; workers call for a Statewide demonstration with families to protest against govt.’s ‘insensitivity’

The striking road transport corporation (RTC) employees and the State government hardened their stands on Sunday, quashing any hopes of resumption of bus services from Monday. As Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa ruled out any talks with the striking workers and the government unleashed a slew of punitive measures, RTC employees announced a Statewide protest demonstration with their families on Monday. Kodihalli Chandrashekar, honorary president of the KSRTC Employees League, announced that all RTC employees would gather outside the offices of tahsildars and Deputy Commissioners across the State with their family members and bang plates on Monday, as a mark of protest against the “government’s insensitivity”. “The only way the impasse can be resolved is through talks. With the Chief Minister ruling out talks, we are left with no option but to hold protests,” he said. R. Chandrashekar, president of the league, said, “We will follow COVID-19-appropriate behaviour.”