Transport corporation employees in Karnataka have announced fresh protests over unpaid wages. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of RTC workers unions plans a 'Bengaluru Chalo' march and a day-long demonstration at Freedom Park on Thursday, February 19. This move comes despite the government agreeing to release part of pending dues. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said ₹1,271.92 crore covering 26 months of salary arrears will be paid to employees of Karnataka's four RTCs: KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC. The government will release ₹718.93 crore for 14 months of arrears from January 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023. An additional ₹552.99 crore has been sanctioned for 12 months of arrears from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021. Mr. Reddy also confirmed that talks on salary increase starting April 1, 2025, will begin soon. He blamed delays on lack of budget allocation and the time taken by a committee reviewing arrears. Despite funding challenges, the government has helped cover provident fund dues and diesel arrears through a ₹2,000 crore bank loan, which the state is repaying. The Minister urged unions to accept the pay revision and cooperate. However, JAC convener Manjunath called the government's offer "inadequate" and said, "We will go ahead with the protest. All the pending arrears and special grants must be released in full and not partially." KSRTC employees have been urged to join the protest in large numbers. Meanwhile, KSRTC and BMTC managements have warned staff of disciplinary action and applying the "no work, no pay" rule if they strike. Officials say bus services may not face major disruptions as employees have been directed to report for duty. Last year, a planned indefinite strike was called off by the High Court. The Bengaluru Chalo protest was initially set for January 29 but postponed following the death of a veteran union leader. Now rescheduled for February 19, tensions rise with workers demanding full wage payments.