Taxi drivers serving KIA keep off roads in Bengaluru following colleague's suicide
Bengaluru, Mar 31: Taxi drivers serving the city's Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) stayed off the roads on Wednesday after a colleague who had allegedly set himself ablaze died last night.
Pratap, 34, from Ramanagara, working with the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation's airport taxi service, had allegedly set himself ablaze inside his car near the pick-up area of the airport on Tuesday, depressed over his financial troubles, police sources said.
They were trying to ascertain the exact cause,the sources added.
Aircraft rescue and fire-fighting team had rescued him and he was rushed to hospital, but he succumbed to injuries at midnight, they said.
According to airport taxi drivers, Pratap took the extreme step due to poor financial condition, poor business and inability to pay EMIs.
They said most taxi drivers, including those linked to Ola, Uber, KSDTC and other airport taxi services have stayed off the roads as a mark of protest following his death, as many of them are going through similar financial problems.
KIA, in a passenger advisory, said taxi services at the airport have been impacted and passengers are requested to use Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses to travel to or from the airport or make their own travel arrangements.
BMTC has deployed additional buses on the airport route to help passengers, official sources said.
Alleging that price war in the cab industry and government's 'apathy' has led to Pratap's death, former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy,in a series of tweets, said KSDTC was following taxi fare of Rs 24 per km fixed by the government.
Taxi aggregators, however, were offering fares of Rs 9 per km to attract passengers, resulting in business loss for KSDTC drivers, he added.
He urged the state government to intervene and come to the rescue of the taxi drivers.
ಕೆಎಸ್ಟಿಡಿಸಿ ಕ್ಯಾಬ್ಗಳು ದರ ನಿಯಮ ಪಾಲಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರೆ, ಖಾಸಗಿ ಕ್ಯಾಬ್ಗಳು ₹9ಕ್ಕೆ ಗ್ರಾಹಕರನ್ನು ಸೆಳೆಯುತ್ತಿವೆ. ಹೀಗಾಗಿ ಕೆಎಸ್ಟಿಡಿಸಿ ಕ್ಯಾಬ್ಗಳಿಗೆ ಗ್ರಾಹಕರೇ ಇಲ್ಲದಂತಾಗಿದೆ. ಚಾಲಕರು ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಗೆ ಸಿಲುಕಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಇದರ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ವಿಮಾನ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣದ ಪಾರ್ಕಿಂಗ್ನಲ್ಲೂ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಚಾಲಕರ ಕೊರಳು ಹಿಂಡುತ್ತಿದೆ.
— H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) March 31, 2021
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Inappropriate for MLAs seeking free IPL tickets, says D.K. Suresh
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Milk Union Ltd President D.K. Suresh on Monday said it is inappropriate for MLAs to seek free IPL tickets, adding that those interested in watching matches should pay for them personally.
Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar, he said, “IPL is a commercial tournament and does not represent the country. It is not right for public representatives to focus too much on such matters.”
Referring to the recent controversy during the RCB celebrations, he said, “let us find out who benefited the most from the statements made during the incident.” He also pointed out that BJP MLAs had received IPL tickets as well.
Responding to discussions about relocating the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Suresh said the government has already approved the construction of a new stadium at a location he had proposed.
“I had suggested building a stadium in Surya City and submitted a proposal for it. Bengaluru needs four stadiums in four directions to cater to its growing population and encourage youth participation in sports,” he said.
He noted that apart from Kanteerava Stadium, KSCA, and the Football Stadium, there are limited facilities in the city.
“When I was a Lok Sabha member, I had proposed allocating 100 acres in my constituency at Surya City. The land was later earmarked and the plan approved,” he added.
Suresh said he has discussed the project with Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Chairman Shivalingegowda, and Anekal MLA Shivanna.
“The Cabinet has now approved the project, and a stadium will be developed on around 50–60 acres,” he said.
He further added that he has requested the Deputy Chief Minister to build another stadium at Shivarama Karanth Layout through the BDA, where 40 acres have been allocated. Plans are also being discussed to develop a well-equipped stadium in Bidadi.
Commending state government's recent bilingual policy move, Suresh said forcing children to learn three languages could affect their comprehension.
“It is a good decision to make two languages compulsory. Learning a third language should be left to the choice of students and parents,” he said.
Responding to criticism from BJP leaders, he said their tendency is to oppose every decision of the government.
“To please their central leadership, they take a pro-Hindi stance. Instead, they should advocate for the adoption of Kannada in all states,” he said.
When asked about the earlier three-language policy under Congress, he said, “the situation is different now. Today, the focus should be on quality learning. Kannada should remain the primary language, while students and parents can choose an additional language.”
