Bengaluru: The BJP has announced protests across Karnataka on November 5 against the state government’s decision to increase bus fares, with Leader of Opposition R Ashoka accusing the government of shifting the burden of its financial mismanagement onto commuters.
Addressing a press conference, Ashoka claimed that the state government owed ₹5,650.95 crore to the four state-run transport corporations and argued that clearing the dues could have helped avoid the fare revision.
He said the fare hike was unprecedented, with increases of up to 40% on certain routes, and criticised the government for imposing an additional burden on commuters during the Diwali season.
According to Ashoka, the outstanding dues include ₹2,943 crore to KSRTC, ₹1,306 crore to NWKRTC, ₹1,019 crore to BMTC and ₹999 crore to KKRTC.
Citing examples, he said the BMTC fare from Majestic to Shivajinagar had increased from ₹12 to ₹18, while the Majestic-Yeshwantpur fare had gone up from ₹18 to ₹25. The Bengaluru-Tumakuru fare had also risen from ₹81 to ₹100.
Ashoka further alleged that the corporations had pending liabilities of ₹2,901.53 crore towards provident fund contributions and ₹827.37 crore towards fuel expenses. He claimed that financial constraints had affected even the purchase of spare parts.
He also criticised the government over rising milk and curd prices, alleging that consumers were bearing the burden instead of receiving the promised increase in milk incentives.
Demanding a white paper on the state’s financial position, Ashoka urged the government to clear the transport corporations’ dues and reconsider the fare hike.
The BJP will hold demonstrations at all district headquarters and in Bengaluru on November 5. Ashoka appealed to the public to join the protests.
