The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has disbursed Rs 84 crores to settle outstanding dues of its staff. The announcement made on Saturday, 17 March, indicated that all unpaid dues including dearness allowance arrears, leave encashment and gratuity will be covered.
The move came under the directives of Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy.
It is reported that an allocation of Rs 24 crore has been made for leave encashment for the fiscal year 2022-23, covering both current and retired employees.
Likewise, Rs 54 crore has been allocated for dearness allowance (DA) payments spanning from July to November 2022 (five months), January to July 2023 (seven months), and July to October 2023 (four months).
Additionally, an amount of Rs six crores has been set aside for gratuity payments to employees who retired in January 2024.
The announcement comes after long standing demands and protests by KSRTC employees.
The Karnataka Cabinet has recently approved the ‘Karnataka Motor Transport and Other Related Workers Social Security and Welfare Tariff Bill-2024’ with the aim of extending social security to workers in auto rickshaws, taxis, maxicabs, lorries, buses, and other vehicles. Proposed by the Labour Department, the bill is slated for presentation during the February legislative session.
It targets supporting workers in the unorganised sector, particularly in these transportation segments, by providing assistance in case of accidents resulting in death or total permanent disability. The legislation plans to establish a dedicated Karnataka Motor Transport and other Related Workers Social Security and Welfare Board to efficiently collect, manage, and distribute funds for the benefit of these workers.
