Services of public buses and autorickshaws were affected in different parts of Karnataka today due to the nationwide strike called by transport sector workers in protest against the proposed Road Transport and Safety Bill, 2015.

Incidents of stone pelting on public buses were reported from different parts of the state including Bengaluru, Hubballi, Bellary and Raichur, Mysuru, official reports said.

The day-long strike has been called jointly by national level road transport organisations representing both public and private sector workers, which are affiliated to central trade unions including the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), BMS, INTUC, HMS, AICCTU, LPF and state-level outfits.

Availability of both Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses remained scarce with their respective workers’ unions supporting the strike against the Road Transport and Safety Bill, 2015 prepared by the Centre.

Transport department officials said they are plying buses based on the requirement as the number of passengers coming to the bus stands was less, adding that they were also convincing the employees to attend their duty and not to cause a hindrance to the public.

KSRTC had yesterday even issued a circular asking its employees to come on duty.

KSRTC Staff and Workers’ Federation Joint Secretary S Nagaraj said “from 6 am onward no employee from all the four transport corporations under KSRTC, including BMTC, will appear for duty. They will participate in the strike”.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy had said: “....as almost all state transport employees are likely to participate in the strike, there may be a problem in plying buses.”

Despite a few associations extending their support to the strike, auto-rickshaw were seen operating in several parts of Bengaluru, with few passengers even complaining of overcharging by drivers.

Bengaluru City Police Chief M N Reddi said elaborate security arrangements have been made in the city on account of transport strike and warned strict action against stone-pelting and any form of forceful imposition of strike, as also over charging.

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