Bike Taxi Association urges Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah to ensure policy clarity on operations
Bengaluru (PTI): The BTA said on Wednesday that it had submitted a formal representation to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, seeking urgent clarity and intervention regarding the future of bike taxi operations in the state.
The representation comes in the backdrop of recent media reports suggesting that the state government may consider filing a Special Leave Petition (SLP) against the Karnataka High Court order permitting bike taxi operations.
The association said this has created fresh uncertainty among riders.
The Bike Taxi Welfare Association, representing bike taxi riders across Karnataka, said in a statement that such a move appears inconsistent with earlier assurances of a policy-led resolution.
According to the statement, the issue has previously seen engagement at the highest levels, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi writing to the CM, highlighting that lakhs of drivers had been without work for months and urging a timely resolution.
In response, the CM, through an official communication to Rahul Gandhi’s office, reportedly confirmed that the government had initiated steps to develop a comprehensive and legally sound policy framework aligned with High Court directions and public interest.
The association said these assurances had provided hope to thousands of riders seeking a stable and dignified livelihood in the sector.
The BTA emphasised that a majority of bike taxi riders are local Kannadiga youth from modest socio-economic backgrounds, who rely on bike taxi services as their primary source of income in an increasingly competitive job market.
The association has urged the government to prioritise a policy-based resolution over prolonged litigation, calling for the expedited rollout of a framework that is balanced and inclusive, legally robust, aligned with public safety and regulatory compliance, and supportive of livelihoods and last-mile connectivity.
The association reiterated its confidence in the CM’s leadership and expressed hope that a clear, consistent, and forward-looking decision will be taken at the earliest.
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SSLC exam results will be declared on April 23: Karnataka minister
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister for School Education and Literacy Madhu Bangarappa on Wednesday said that SSLC (Class 10) exam results will be declared on April 23.
He also said that, as per court orders, students will be awarded marks instead of grades for third language papers this year.
The Secondary School Leaving Certificate examinations were held between March 18 and April 2.
“Tomorrow at noon, SSLC exam results will be announced. I had earlier said April 24 as the tentative date, but we are announcing them a day in advance,” Bangarappa told reporters here after meeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Asked whether students would be awarded marks or grades for the third language paper, he said, “We will have to follow the court order this time. Further details will follow.”
Stating that he had brought certain matters related to the results to the CM’s notice, the minister said, “He (CM) is very happy with the results. He has given us some directions. Officials were also present, and the Advocate General was present as the matter involved court directions. We have taken everything into account in the interest of students.”
When asked whether grace marks would be given since students may not have taken the third language paper seriously following the announcement that it would be graded, he said, “Answers will be given during the results tomorrow.”
The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday refused to entertain the state government’s petition seeking review of its April 15 order directing authorities to evaluate the SSLC examination as per existing rules.
The court had on April 15 directed authorities to conduct valuation of the SSLC examination as per existing rules, noting that the notification had already been issued for the 2025–26 academic year.
The HC directive effectively meant awarding marks, not grades, for third language papers in the SSLC examination, as announced by the government.
The order was issued while hearing a petition filed by three students who appeared for the SSLC exam.
The petition followed the minister’s announcement on March 27 that, starting this academic year, the government would replace marks with a grading system for the third language in SSLC, which would not affect overall results. However, this announcement was made before the third language examination.
The minister had said that until now, SSLC exams carried a total of 625 marks, including 100 marks for the third language. With the change, the total would be reduced to 525 marks.
Noting that Hindi is not the only language taught as a third language in the state, the minister had said, “But Hindi is the most commonly taught third language.”
He had also said that most students fail this subject, adding that the decision aimed to ease the burden amid complaints that Kannada-speaking students find it difficult to read and write Hindi. Kannada activists had also made similar demands.
