Hubballi: In a move that has sparked anger and despair among bereaved families, the transport department has stopped offering Group D jobs on compassionate grounds to dependents of deceased employees — a practice followed across govt departments and undertakings. This decision has left several applicants who have been waiting for years or months suddenly ineligible for employment. Many of them are widows or family members of bus drivers and conductors who died in service due to accidents, illness, or other unfortunate circumstances.In an official letter dated July 30, Pushpa VS, under secretary to the govt in the transport department, directed the managing directors of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC) to immediately halt recruitment under the compassionate grounds for Group D posts. The letter referenced a communication from the finance department dated July 28, citing that such appointments were in violation of existing govt guidelines.Following the directive, all divisional controllers have been instructed to reject applications submitted by the dependents of the deceased employees.A grieving widow, on condition of anonymity, shared her ordeal with TOI: “My husband died while on duty in 2021. I only studied up to Class 7, so I applied for a Group D job. I was waiting in line, as they only give orders when posts fall vacant. Now we’re told that the govt has cancelled recruitments to Group D posts on compassionate grounds. I have no idea how I will raise my two children now.”Social activist Muttu Biliyali from Gadag criticised the move, highlighting its impact on underprivileged and less-educated families of KSRTC workers. “The govt has targeted only Group D posts. No reason has been given for this decision,” he said. Despite repeated attempts, transport minister Ramalinga Reddy was unavailable for comment.
