Karnataka private bus operators blame Shakti scheme, BMTC expansion for loss: Report
Bengaluru: Private bus operators in Karnataka have raised concerns over mounting financial losses, attributing the situation to the state government’s Shakti scheme, the expansion of the BMTC network, and the presence of illegal operators.
The Karnataka State Private Bus Owners’ Association submitted a memorandum to Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, outlining these grievances, as reported by The New Indian Express on Wednesday.
Association President S. Nataraj Sharma warned that if the issues are not addressed within the next 10 days, bus owners would be compelled to launch statewide protests. According to the memorandum, the Shakti scheme, which provides free travel for women on state-run buses, has significantly reduced the number of fare-paying passengers for private operators.
The association further raised concerns about unfair competition arising from disparities in the All-India Tourist Permit system. They claim that private bus operators in Karnataka are paying substantially higher taxes compared to their counterparts in other states.
The memorandum highlighted that buses registered in states like Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, some allegedly operating without proper inspection or in violation of body codes, are entering Karnataka by paying an annual fee of just Rs 60,000, while local operators are charged between Rs 82,000 and Rs 1.58 lakh.
“This creates unhealthy and unfair competition. If clarity is not provided, our members may be forced to re-register vehicles in other states and re-enter Karnataka,” the memorandum stated.
The operators also expressed concerns about increased competition from subsidised electric buses, as well as the recent expansion of the BMTC’s jurisdiction from 25 km to 40 km beyond the city limits. The association argues that the expansion directly overlaps with areas that private operators have served for decades.
“BMTC’s expansion will eliminate the livelihood of private operators in Bengaluru’s periphery,” TNIE quoted Sharma as saying. He further pointed out that, unlike BMTC, private operators do not receive any subsidies, adding to the financial strain.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Allen, Raghuvanshi, Green power KKR to 29-run win over GT
Kolkata (PTI): Finn Allen blasted a 35-ball 93, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi hit an unbeaten 44-ball 82 as Kolkata Knight Riders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 29-run win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL match here on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, Allen went on a six-hitting spree, smashing 10 maximums and four boundaries to add 95 off 41 balls with Raghuvanshi (82).
Raghuvanshi then shared another 108 off 53 balls with Cameron Green (52 not out) to power KKR to a challenging 247 for 2.
In reply, GT could manage 218-4, riding on skipper Shubman Gill's 49-ball 85 and a 35-ball 57 from Jos Buttler. Opener Sai Sudarsan was retired hurt but returned to make a 28-ball 53 not out.
Sunil Narine (2/29) claimed two wickets and Saurabh Dubey snapped one for KKR.
For GT, Mohammed Siraj (1/50), Sai Kishore (1/38) were the wicket-takers.
Brief Score:
KKR: 247 for 2 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 93, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 82 not out, Camero Green 52 not out; Mohammed Siraj 1/50).
GT: 218 for 4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 85, Sunil Narine 2/29).
