Karnataka Bus Strike: School holiday on August 5

Karnataka Bus Strike: A bus strike is scheduled to begin on August 5, 2025, in Karnataka. The strike has been called by the Joint Action Committee of workers’ unions from all four State Road Transport Corporations (RTCs) in the state, including KSRTC and BMTC. Karnataka Bus Strike: School holiday on August 5.

This will be an indefinite strike, meaning bus services across the state are expected to be severely affected until the unions’ demands are met.

Key reasons for the strike include:

Wage Revision: The unions are demanding a salary hike and the implementation of a new pay scale, effective from January 1, 2024.

Pending Arrears: They are also seeking the payment of pending salary arrears for a period of 38 months, from January 1, 2020, to February 28, 2023.

Other demands: The unions have raised other issues, such as improved medical facilities and the regularization of contract staff.

The Karnataka government has responded by invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), which prohibits employees from striking for a specified period. The government has also initiated talks with private bus operators to arrange for alternative transportation to minimize inconvenience to the public.

However, the unions have stated that they will not withdraw the strike unless their demands are met. As of now, the Karnataka government has not officially declared a school holiday for August 5, 2025, in response to the indefinite bus strike.

While the strike is expected to severely disrupt public transportation services across the state, a formal announcement regarding school closures is pending. In past instances of bus strikes, the state government or individual district administrations have often declared holidays for schools and colleges to ensure the safety of students who rely on public buses.

However, the government has invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to prohibit the strike. This move, along with ongoing discussions, adds a layer of uncertainty to the situation.

It is highly recommended that parents and students monitor official announcements from the Karnataka government, the Department of Public Instruction, or their respective school administrations for the latest updates.