Daijiworld Media Network - Gadag (SP)

Gadag, Dec 22: State transport minister, B Sriramulu, said that the transport employees who were dismissed in connection with a strike they had called in pursuance of various demands, would be absorbed by Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and the other three transport corporations within four weeks.

He was speaking at a press meet held here on Tuesday December 21. He stated that during April last, the transport employees had gone on strike, demanding fulfilment of their demands which included treating all the transport workers as government servants. "Many had continued to stay away from duties even after the government requested them to withdraw strike and join for duty, as their absence was without authorization. Many among them were suspended and some were subjected to mandatory transfers. I have withdrawn the suspension and transfer orders of the employees which were resorted to as a measure of punishment. As the dismissed transport employees have approached the high court, there are legal hurdles in reappointing them now. Taking Into account the financial condition of their families and also on humanitarian considerations, the government wants to reappoint them into service. Within the next four weeks, the legal problem would be addressed in the Lok Adalat and the managing directors of the four road transport corporations have been instructed to reappoint them once the legal issues are addressed," he explained.