Contract drivers protest over salary cuts in KSRTC's Puttur division

Sullia: Contract-based drivers working for the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) in the Puttur division have raised allegations of salary cuts. Dissatisfied with the reduced payments, several contract drivers plan to protest on Saturday, September 14, by staying off duty.

Previously, nine contract drivers working under Pannaga Enterprises at the Sullia KSRTC unit were paid their salaries in full for 11 months. However, after the contract with Pannaga Enterprises ended, a new contractor, Poojaya Security Services, took over and hired the same drivers.

At the time of hiring, the new contractor allegedly promised not to reduce the drivers’ salaries and gave other assurances. However, it is now reported that more than Rs 5,000 has been deducted from some drivers’ salaries, with a few drivers facing cuts as high as Rs 10,000. Some drivers have claimed they did not receive any salary at all for the month.

A total of nine drivers in the Sullia unit are said to be affected by the salary reductions. The drivers have accused KSRTC officials of failing to honor the promises made earlier. As a result, the drivers plan to protest outside the KSRTC Divisional Office in Puttur, with support from affected drivers in Madikeri, Sullia, and Puttur units.