Bengaluru, Jul 10 (IANS): The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has passed an internal note to the managements of its sister corporations to consider sanctioning one-year leave to its officers and staff, an official said on Friday. However, it has simultaneously clarified that there was nothing official about it yet.

"This is an internal office note and nothing is official yet. KSRTC Managing Director (MD) has written to its three affiliates -- BMTC, NEKSRTC and NWKSRTC," a company spokesperson told IANS.

KSRTC MD Shivayogi C. Kalasad is seeking the opinion and views of the North East Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (NEKSRTC) and the North West Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (NWKSRTC) managing directors about the leave proposal which comes amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Some senior officials are against this decision, KSRTC may drop it but nothing is official yet. Otherwise we should go for a board meeting and the board will take the decision and then whatever the decision may be, it will become official," said the official.

According to the official, the KSRTC MD is the cadre controlling authority for the four road transport corporations in the state. Any major decision has to be taken only after consulting the four managing directors.

When a major decision like this is being contemplated, transport corporations employees are also expected to make their representation.

Earlier, some officers and employees used to take extraordinary leave for higher studies or on health grounds for up to five years' time.

"Many officers and staff have availed the benefits, have gone for higher studies and got into Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS). With the above intention, management sent an inter-office note proposing to continue the above benefit among all the employees," said Kalasad.

However, he has clarified that there is no pressure or restriction in the said proposal.

The proposal mandates that an employee will continue to be a staffer of the corporation and will have to report back to duty after completing the one year special leave.

Meanwhile, regarding shopkeepers, hotels and restaurants shutting their businesses in the road transport corporations' bus stations, the official said it is up to the minister to take a decision.

The KSRTC has been asking the shopkeepers, estimated to be around 12,000, to at least pay 20 per cent of the license fee or rent in Unlock 2.0.

"At least 20 per cent because we are also operating buses, passengers are coming. At least 20 per cent they have to give," said the official.