Karnataka private schools seek relaxation of 15-year limit on school buses
Bengaluru: Private school managements across Karnataka have urged the Transport Department to relax the rule that bars school buses older than 15 years from operating, citing financial strain and differences in treatment compared to other public transport vehicles, The New Indian Express reported on Tuesday.
Lokesh Talikate, the president of Karnataka Private Educational Institutions Association, said, “Private schools have to renew fitness certificates for school buses every year. Besides, we are not allowed to run the school buses on roads if they are more than 15 years old.”
He said most school buses run less than 100 kilometres a day and are well maintained. “Despite this, we are forced to replace them once they complete 15 years, while many government and private buses that have clocked over 12 lakh kilometres continue to operate on roads,” Talikate said.
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He pointed out that Karnataka has over 6,000 unaided private schools, most of which do not receive government grants. Replacing buses every 15 years without financial support places a heavy burden on schools. He said that school associations plan to approach Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy seeking relaxation of the rule.
Meanwhile, D Shashikumar, general secretary of the Associated Managements of Primary & Secondary Schools in Karnataka, said Kerala and Tamil Nadu allow school buses older than 15 years to operate, subject to fitness certification.
“For new school buses, fitness certificates are renewed once every three years, while for older buses, renewal is done annually. There are over 20,000 aided private schools, and we have written to the transport minister seeking relaxation of the age limit for school buses,” he said.
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Man allegedly arrives with deadly weapon to attack another, caught by public in Jokatte
Panambur: A man who allegedly came armed to attack another person was caught by members of the public and later handed over to police in Jokatte late on Friday night.
The accused has been identified as Naveen Poojari, originally from Vamanjoor and presently residing in Jokatte.
According to police sources, Naveen was married and has an eight-year-old son. The couple are now divorced.
Police said Naveen suspected that his former wife, who is employed at a showroom in Padil, was moving closely with Devi Prasad Acharya, a mechanic working there.
Based on this suspicion, Naveen allegedly went to the house of Devi Prasad Acharya on Friday night carrying a deadly weapon, created a scene and issued threats.
During the incident, Devi Prasad Acharya reportedly contacted the 112 emergency helpline, following which Naveen fled from the spot.
While escaping, Naveen is said to have fallen from his two-wheeler near the Jokatte Panchayat area. Local residents who rushed to help noticed a deadly weapon on the vehicle and immediately alerted police.
Officials from Panambur Police Station rushed to the spot, took Naveen into custody and brought him to the station.
A case has been registered based on the complaint filed by Devi Prasad Acharya, and further action is under way.
