PANAJI: Goa Government-run Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) staff staged a one-day hunger strike today outside the head office of Kadamba Transport Corporation in Porvorim, Goa, demanding the resolution of long-pending issues with the KTCL management.
The protest comes after more than two years of intermittent agitations by the workforce, who have repeatedly raised concerns over unpaid dues, irregularities in service, and delays in fulfilling promises made by the government and management.
Earlier this year, in March, the union had threatened a strike, which was eventually called off after Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho intervened and assured phased fulfillment of their demands. Despite these assurances, the workers say that most issues remain unresolved, prompting today’s hunger strike as a demonstration of their growing frustration and insistence on immediate action.
The union’s key demands include immediate payment of 34 months’ 7th pay arrears, regularisation of daily-wage staff with full benefits, promotions based on seniority, correction of pay anomalies, pending EPFO contributions, provision of uniforms to drivers, and improved working conditions for electric bus staff. The strike also calls for all electric buses to be operated and maintained directly by KTCL.