Karnataka man charged Rs 10 extra for carrying laptop on bus | Representative image
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The passenger – a “working professional” speaking to The Indian Express on condition of anonymity – recalled that he had turned on his laptop on part-way through his journey to Hubballi when the driver approached him and asked him to pay the surcharge.
The commuter said he later found out that the malpractice wasn’t a one-off case of a bizarre fee but actually an instruction by higher authorities to charge passengers Rs 10 extra for using their laptops.
“I was also told that if the employers and officials fail to levy the additional amount, then they run the risk of being fined,” he added.
What does the order say?
According to a circular dated October 29, the KSRTC has introduced some changes to the existing guidelines for luggage. In particular,
The circular, in an apparent attempt to “simplify” the baggage policy, states that a passenger is allowed to carry luggage weighing up to 30 kg without having to pay extra. Some of the permissible items include suitcases, bags, groceries, vegetables and coconuts.
However, the order appears to have left laptops and other electronics out of the list of items a passenger can have on them – a loophole which the commuter claims was used to charge him.
Transport officials deny the validity of any such charges.
“As per the circular, extra charges will be levied on electronic devices such as TVs, refrigerators, desktops, starting from Rs 5 onwards based on the number of units and the distance,” Gadag depot division controller G Seenaiah said. “However, there will be no charge for laptops. Action will be taken against transport officials if they are found charging extra for laptops.”
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