The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of transport corporation employees held a meeting with Minister for Transport Ramalinga Reddy on Saturday to discuss long-pending demands, including the release of arrears and a comprehensive pay revision, following instructions from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The meeting comes in the backdrop of an earlier discussion held between the unions, Chief Minister and the Transport Minister on November 26, during which the union had reiterated their demands.
As directed by the Chief Minister, Mr. Reddy convened the latest round of talks to review the issues raised by employees of the State-run road transport corporations.
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Reddy said, “The unions have been raising several demands over the last two years. Multiple meetings have already taken place, including at least three meetings with the Chief Minister. In the most recent meeting, the Chief Minister instructed me to convene another round of talks, which has now been done.”
The Minister added that with the Assembly session currently under way, he would communicate on the discussions held with union leaders to the Chief Minister during the session, after which a decision might be taken.
The JAC has demanded the immediate release of arrears and implementation of a long-pending pay revision. According to the unions, unpaid dues across the four Road Transport Corporations (RTCs) have accumulated to ₹8,010 crore.
Other key demands include an increase in staff allowances, improved medical facilities for employees, and the regularisation of drivers and technical staff currently employed on a contract basis. The unions have also maintained that electric buses should be operated only by permanent drivers, citing safety and operational efficiency concerns if contract staff are deployed.
Meanwhile, speaking to The Hindu, Anantha Subba Rao, president of the KSRTC Staff and Workers’ Federation, said that the issue of unpaid dues and arrears, along with various demands, was discussed in detail during the meeting. “The salary revision that should have been implemented from 2024 must be enforced immediately, and the pending arrears for 38 months should be cleared. The government has agreed to release only 14 months of arrears so far. What about the remaining months?” he questioned.
Published – December 13, 2025 09:15 pm IST
