Date:20/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/20/stories/2006032004240300.htm

Karnataka - Bellary

Storming a male bastion

BELLARY: Five women in the district have managed to storm into a male bastion: the mechanical section of the first stage bus depot of the North Eastern Karnataka Road Transportation Corporation (NEKRTC) here.

V.R. Sharada, T.G. Ragini, Pushpalatha, Sridevi and Jois Sebastian, who have completed the ITI course, have been appointed helpers to mechanics.

The enterprising women also independently remove tyres, grease parts, besides helping their seniors in repairing and maintaining the buses.

Their jobs fetch the women a salary of about Rs. 5,000 a month.

Divisional Controller, NEKRTC, R.C. Mallikarjunaiah said the women are prompt in their work.

They have been given a restroom, aprons and shoes and a washing allowance of Rs. 400. They work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with an hour's break.

They have been spared the night shift for now. — UNI