KSRTC goes extra mile: Arranges special bus to help employee vote

Team Udayavani, May 11, 2023, 12:19 PM IST

KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) made history, by arranging a free separate bus to transport a staff member to his polling station, located about 300 km away from his duty station. This incident marks the first time in KSRTC’s history that such an arrangement has been made.

The staff member in question was Sivalingaiah, a driver of Tumkur district Thuruvekere unit who was assigned for election duty on May 9. Despite being informed that he might have to vote among the Election Officer and Unit Manager, Sivalingaiah was forcibly sent from Chikkanayakanahalli to Pavagada for election duty. After he left for duty, he requested the attention of Tumkur District Collector and Election Officer to allow him to vote.

In response to Sivalingaiah’s request, the election officials instructed KSRTC unit managers to allow voting and arranged a separate empty bus to transport him to his polling station in Tammadihalli Gollarahatti, located in Huliyaru Hobali. Driver Chetan, who had already voted in Thuruvekere, was assigned to seat Sivalingaiah in the empty bus and brought him to the polling station at around 4 o’clock, where he was able to cast his vote. Driver Umail from Thuruvekere was assigned to take over Sivalingaiah’s duty station after he had voted.

After Sivalingaiah had cast his vote, the bus was sent on a passenger route trip from Huliyar to Bengaluru. This incident highlights the Election Commission’s commitment to providing all kinds of cooperation for voting.

The rare arrangement made by KSRTC to ensure that Sivalingaiah was able to exercise his right to vote has been hailed as an example of the importance of ensuring that everyone has access to the polls. The company’s decision to go the extra mile to assist one of their staff members in casting his vote has been praised by many as a clear demonstration of their commitment to their employees’ rights and democratic values.