Protests held against Bill

Members of the KSRTC Workers’ Federation staged a protest against the implementation of the proposed Road Transport and Safety Bill in front of Town Hall on Thursday.

A tense atmosphere prevailed as protesters shouted slogans and held placards. "The bill will lead to the privatisation of the public transport services such as BMTC, KSRTC among others. We already have the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, Motor Transport Workers Act, among others. What is the need for another act?, ” questioned H S Manjunath, General Secretary, Centre of Indian Trade Unions.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, B V Raghavendra, State General Secretary, Federation of Karnataka Autorickshaw Drivers Union, said, “ If the existing Acts are implemented strictly, it is more than enough. The Union transport ministry just wants to favour private operators and international transport players in the name of moving this bill.”