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Karnataka Transport Unions Suspend Strike as High Court Extends ESMA Stay

Threatened with ESMA penalties accompanied by contempt charges, the Joint Action Committee halted its walkout to clear the path for fresh negotiations at a PIL hearing.

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Overview

  • A division bench of the Karnataka High Court extended its interim stay on the indefinite transport strike until August 7 and warned union leaders of arrest under the Essential Services Maintenance Act.
  • The Joint Action Committee representing KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC and KKRTC employees suspended the protest but remains firm on demands for 38 months of unpaid wages and a 25% salary hike effective January 2024.
  • The state government has mobilized over 20,000 private buses and deployed trainee drivers to resume limited operations while talks continue.
  • Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s partial offer to clear 14 months of arrears—worth about ₹700–718 crore—has been rejected by unions insisting on full back-pay totaling nearly ₹1,800 crore.
  • With the next court hearing set for August 7, both sides face mounting pressure to settle the dispute and restore full bus services for millions of daily commuters.