Karnataka launches helpline to support borrowers in financial distress
Bengaluru: The All-India Financial Borrowers Federation (AIFBF), in partnership with the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), has launched a helpline to support borrowers facing financial distress, particularly farmers and daily wage labourers.
The helpline, accessible by dialling 080-45888789, offers psychological counselling and financial advice for borrowers in distress. Former Bengaluru Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao inaugurated the service by making the first call, The New Indian Express reported on Saturday.
According to data shared by AIFBF, an estimated 14 farmers take their lives every day across India due to debt-related distress. The organisation said it hopes the helpline will serve as a timely intervention to prevent such tragedies.
In addition, AIFBF has reportedly written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, urging reforms to make borrowing more inclusive and borrower-friendly. The suggestions include empowering women entrepreneurs and startups, strengthening the Make in India initiative, boosting India’s GDP, and curbing non-performing assets and farmer suicides.
FKCCI president M.G. Balakrishna expressed gratitude to AIFBF for facilitating the discussion. “Borrowers or not, they are taxpayers and nation-builders. We believe in building an ecosystem where borrowers are respected; they are an asset to this nation,” TNIE quoted Balakrishna as saying.
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KSRTC to run 1000 special services to clear Christmas rush
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation will operate 1000 additional special services in view of the Christmas festival.
In addition to the existing schedule, the special services will run on 19.12.2025, 20.12.2025 and 24.12.2025. Further, special buses will be operated from various places of intra & Interstate places to Bengaluru on 26.12.2025 & 28.12.2025.
Special buses will be exclusively operated from Bengaluru Kempegowda Bus Station to Dharmastala, Kukkesubramanya, Shivamogga, Hassan, Mangaluru, Kundapura, Shringeri, Horanadu, Davangere, Hubbali, Dharwad, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Gokarna, Sirsi, Karwar, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Ballari, Koppala, Yadgir, Bidar, Tirupathi, Vijayawada, Hyderabad and other places.
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Special buses from Mysuru Road Bus Station will be exclusively operated towards Mysuru, Hunsur, Piriyapatna, Virajpet, Kushalanagar, Madikeri.
The corporation has also announced a discount of 5 per cent on the fare if four or more passengers book tickets under a single reservation. A discount of 10 per cent will be extended on return journey tickets if onward and return tickets are booked simultaneously.
In addition to the above, special buses will be operated from all Taluk/District Bus Stands in the jurisdiction of KSRTC based on the traffic needs.
