We are employees, not slaves: Karnataka transport staff to go on strike from August 5
Hubballi: The Akhila Karnataka Rajya Raste Sarige Naukarara Mahamandali has announced an indefinite strike starting August 5, citing the state government’s failure to act on their long-pending demands or respond to their strike notice.
“There is no question of withdrawing the strike now,” Deccan Herald quoted Mahamandali president K.S. Sharma as saying.
Sharma strongly criticised the government’s move to invoke the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), calling it a tactic to threaten employees of road transport corporations.
“It is ironic that the chief minister has not called for a meeting. Is this the way to run a government? Is it a people’s government or not?” he questioned.
Calling the Esma invocation an anti-labour policy, Sharma urged chief minister Siddaramaiah to engage with employees rather than “testing their patience.”
“We are not slaves; we are employees who serve both the government and the public. Running a government by invoking ESMA won’t work for long; it will backfire,” he asserted.
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.
Australia add Steve Smith as replacement for Hazlewood in T20 World Cup squad
Pallekele (PTI): Senior Australia batter Steve Smith was on Monday approved as replacement for the injured pacer Josh Hazlewood, hours before his side's must-win T20 World Cup match against Sri Lanka here.
Smith thus becomes the 15th member of the injury-hit Australia squad.
"Smith is named as a replacement for Hazlewood, who is now officially ruled out from participating in the tournament due to a calf injury. The team’s medical staff had hoped to have him fit in time to feature in the latter parts of the tournament but were unsuccessful," the ICC said in statement.
Smith had earlier been flown to Sri Lanka as cover for skipper Mitchell Marsh, who missed Australia's opening two matches due to a testicular injury.
The veteran batter trained with the squad on Sunday and is in contention to feature in the crucial clash.
Smith has not played a T20I since February last year but has been in good form in the format in domestic competitions.
In positive signs for the 2021 champions, Marsh too has returned to training. The skipper batted in the nets while also taking part in running and fielding drills on Sunday.
Australia’s World Cup campaign is hanging in the balance following their 23-run defeat to Zimbabwe, and they must beat Sri Lanka on Monday to avoid an early exit.
