The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has issued a stern warning to employees and staff members against participating in the indefinite State-wide strike proposed from May 20, stating that strict disciplinary measures, including salary cuts under the ‘no work, no pay’ rule, will be enforced against those remaining absent from duty.

The warning was issued through a circular by KSRTC managing director Akram Pasha on Monday amid growing tensions between transport corporation employees and the State government over unresolved demands relating to wage revision, pending arrears, and employee welfare benefits.

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of trade unions representing employees of the four State-run road transport corporations has called for an indefinite strike beginning Wednesday, alleging that repeated appeals to the government regarding salary revision and other long-pending issues have not received a favourable response.

In the circular addressed to senior officers, divisional controllers and other officials, the KSRTC managing director stated that the proposed strike cannot be permitted under the prevailing legal framework governing essential public services. He pointed out that the Karnataka government has already brought the services of all state-run transport corporations under the ambit of the Karnataka Essential Services Maintenance Act (KESMA), 2013.

According to the circular, employees working in transport corporations are barred from resorting to strikes under the provisions of the Act. It further noted that all four road transport corporations in Karnataka have been categorised as public utility services, making strike actions legally restricted, especially when conciliation proceedings are under way.

Mr. Pasha urged employees not to participate in the proposed agitation under any circumstances and instead continue attending duty regularly to maintain uninterrupted transport services for the public. He stated that transport services are vital for lakhs of passengers across Karnataka and that employees should protect the confidence reposed in the corporations by the people.

The circular also instructed officials across divisions and depots to take all necessary precautionary measures to ensure scheduled bus operations are not disrupted during the proposed strike period. Officials were further directed not to approve leave requests from May 20 onwards except in unavoidable situations.

The order warned that employees remaining absent during the strike period would face action under the “no work, no pay” principle. Officials have been instructed to prepare day-wise, unit-wise and category-wise records of absent employees for salary deduction and disciplinary proceedings.