Several local transport organisations have not extended their support to Tuesday's the nation-wide strike call to protest against the proposed Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill, 2017.
Backed by the Left parties, the protest is not getting support from many of the local taxi and auto-rickshaw unions except those affiliated to CITU and JD(S). The organisations claim that the amended bill is the BJP-led government’s latest attempt at privatisation of transport sector.
The KSRTC and BMTC will operate their services as usual. The KSRTC Workers Federation, affiliated to All India Trade Union Congress, issued a statement stating that it was not in support of the strike.
"The federation has already given a call for protecting the country by ensuring the fall of the (Narendra) Modi led government, which has been destroying the public sector. We have submitted a list of demands to the (Union) transport minister. A decision on one-day strike will be taken at a later stage," Vijay Bhaskar D A, general secretary of AITUC state unit said.
Karnataka Tourist Motorcab and Maxicab Owners Welfare Association president M P Ramesh said about one lakh vehicles run by owners affiliated to the association will operate normally. “We were not informed of the strike and there is no preparation on the ground. Hundreds of companies in the city are dependent on us for transport services. We can’t stop the operations without giving them an intimation,” he said.
Bangalore Tourist Taxi Operators Association president Radhakrishna Holla said his organisation will not take part in the strike. He said he welcomes the provisions in the new bill.
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