Another BMTC driver consumes pesticide alleging harassment

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Three days after a Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus driver attached to Rajarajeshwari Nagar bus depot attempted suicide, another driver reportedly consumed a pesticide at the Kengeri bus depot on Tuesday.

The bus driver was identified as Srinivas, a driver said to be working for the corporation for over 15 years allegedly attempted suicide alleging harassment from his seniors. According to sources from the depot, the driver was rushed to Rajarajeshwari Hospital soon after his colleagues noticed him consuming a liquid pesticide on Tuesday.

Though no police complaint has been filed regarding the matter, the employees' union of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) have demanded an inquiry and strict action against senior officials involved in harassing bus drivers and conductors abetting them to suicide.

"Senior officials are not assigning duties to the staff and are allegedly abusing them in foul language. Despite the rising suicide attempts in the staff, the officials don’t seem to be bothered. We will stage a protest before the Transport Department and in front of the Transport Minister’s house soon", said Jagadish, president of the KSRTC employees’ union.

On Jan 27, bus driver Ranganath, had allegedly consumed poison at the RR Nagar bus depot accusing senior officials of harassing him. Yogesh, a former employee of the BMTC, demanded action against the corrupt officials. "As soon as employees started to gather at the hospital, the BMTC officials rushed there and inquired about Srinivas’ health," he said.

"They come for a few minutes only when such incidents take place. No respite is given to the staff who are daily suffering harassment from the seniors here," he added. As per sources, Srinivas is currently under treatment in the ICU unit of the hospital.