The transportation sector is the most critical sector in any economy. You understand a city after using its transportation system. Public transport, the engine of social progress is a basic human need. The Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) is the largest single bus operator in Goa. The entire share capital of the Corporation has been contributed by the State Government. The Corporation is thus a wholly owned Government Instrumentality. It was established to provide regular, punctual, reliable, comfortable and safe transport services to the people since the private operators were unwilling to operate the low-earning routes in the far flung villages; and as such one of the most important objectives of the Corporation was to connect the Goan villages with the urban centers in order to assist them in their socio-economic development. As on October 2024, the KTCL has 83 Electric Buses and staff strength of 2000 employees working at the Depots, Central Workshop and the Head Office.
In January 1980, the newly-elected Congress government under the then Chief Minister of Goa, Pratapsingh Rane who succeeded the erstwhile Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) Government, had pledged in the Election Manifesto that should they be elected to power, the Government would form a Public Sector Transport Corporation. On 15/10/1980 the newly-elected Government formed the “Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd.,” (KTCL) as a State sector undertaking. The formation of KTCL, was preceded by several peoples’ struggles against the ruthless, corrupt, profit- hungry and loathsome Private bus lobby and its Coterie: which also faced the ire of the student community led by All Goa Students Union (AGSU) who fought relentlessly and secured 50% bus concession for the entire student community from the then ruling MGP – led dispensation in the year 1978. Thanks primarily to the KTCL, this facility of 50% bus concession continues to be enjoyed to date by the student community throughout the state of Goa even after 46 years!
In recent years, the trunk routes like Panjim-Vasco, Panjim-Margao, Margao-Vasco were nationalised; where only the buses operated by the KTCL ply. The KTCL which operates a comprehensive network of intra-state and inter-state bus routes across Goa is currently focused on expanding its operations by deploying electric and diesel buses. Launched with much fanfare on June 15 2023, the ‘Mhaji Bus Scheme’ a pilot project, appears to have failed in its tracks. The KTCL with an eye on last mile connectivity and also with a desire to provide late night and early morning trips launched the Mhaji bus scheme, seen as a win-win situation for private operators unable to ply their buses on the nationalized routes. This scheme aims to improve public transportation by hiring private buses to supplement the state-run Kadamba buses. The scheme has been seeing revenue loss, with lesser earnings on dead trips or non-profitable routes. The mhaji bus scheme reeks of vestedness where someone from inside is making quick bucks. Workers of KTCL have clearly expressed that the Mhaji bus scheme is a scandalous drain on the limited revenue and resources of KTCL and neither in the interest of the Kadamba Corporation nor its Employees.
Inspite of numerous representations and prolonged discussions, the long standing issues between the Government of Goa and the KTCL union have remained unresolved. Some of the issues were - Payment of arrears of 7th Pay Commission as promised by C.M. of Goa on 28.08.24; Procurement of 300 diesel buses for KTCL since 200 buses have been scrapped/condemned during the last 2 years; Regularisation of all senior temporary drivers and conductors; Restoration of remittance of PF @ 12% on gross salary w.e.f. from December 2009. To stop out-sourcing of operations and the maintenance of Electric Buses (EV’s) and ensure that every single employee deployed on electric buses be they drivers, conductors or the maintenance crew are employed on the permanent rolls of KTCL. To stop outsourcing of inter-state routes by deploying KTCL diesel buses since Electric buses (EV’s) are not able to run for very long distances. Filling up all vacancies of technical staff – welders, tin smiths, mechanics, electricians and others: arising out of attritions/retirement. Mhaji bus scheme’ to be scrapped. This scheme is indeed a scandalous drain on the limited revenue and resources of KTCL.
Ensure clean and spacious rest rooms, toilets and changing rooms for conductors, drivers, TCs, mechanics in the various depots/offices for male and female employees and staff of KTCL.
The KTCL Drivers and Allied Employees’ Association had issued a 21 day strike notice to the management of KTCL to be effective from 19/03/2025. This decision was taken at a massive rally held by KTCL employees in Panaji city on 27/02/2025. Vide letter dated 11.03.23 the KTCL union and management were invited by the Director of Transport Mr. Pravimal Abhishek (IAS) who is also the Managing director of Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to meet at his office to discuss the various issues of the strike notice issued on 27.02.23 by the union. Those present were apprised by Mr. Abhishek that he had secured the administrative approval for three of the demands raised by the union, namely the Payment of arrears, restoration of Provident Fund to 12% on wages and grant of Temporary Status to those workers who complete 5 years of service in KTCL enabling them to draw pay benefits of regular workmen in the absence of regular vacancies. With regard to other pending demands there was a positive assertion that they would be resolved in due course.
During a massive meeting (Maha Melavo) held at the KTC Panaji bus stand by the KTC workers on 10.03.25 in preparation to the 19.3.25 strike, Comrade Christopher Fonseca announced that he would be undertaking a 24 hour hunger strike on 11.03,25 . While his hunger strike was on, he received a message that the director of Transport has convened a meeting of the union representatives with the management of KTCL, on 12.03.25. Soon thereafter, the union received another message from the Labour Commissioner that the Chief Minister has directed the Chief Secretary to convene a meeting with the union representatives on 13.03.25. The delegation which met the Chief Secretary discussed all the issues. There was however no positive outcome except on the issue of restoration of Provident fund to 12% w.e.f. first April , 2025 and procurement of new buses and a serious look into the KTCL staffing pattern.
The KTC Drivers and Allied Employees Association (AITUC) has been relentless in its campaign to safeguard the interests of traveling people of Goa while upholding and fighting for the rights of the KTCL employees. The union and its members have exercised phenomenal patience in the pursuit of their justified demands. The people of Goa are eagerly watching the manner in which the government and KTCL management respond to demands of the employees in the light of the 19th March strike call.
(The writer is a social scientist and a senior practicing criminal lawyer)