Wed Sep 24 13:26:22 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the provided text, followed by a news article rewritten from it:

**Summary:**

The provided information includes snippets of a news publishing platform (The Hindu) covering various topics. The main piece is a news article detailing stringent disciplinary actions being implemented by the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) against drivers using mobile phones or digital devices while driving. The actions come as a response to accidents linked to distracted driving. Penalties range from suspensions and salary deductions to transfers and potential termination, escalating with repeated offenses. The BMTC emphasizes public safety and the corporation’s image as primary motivations for the stricter enforcement.

**News Article:**

**Bengaluru Bus Drivers Face Harsh Penalties for Mobile Phone Use**

**Bengaluru, India – September 24, 2025** – The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has announced a zero-tolerance policy regarding the use of mobile phones and other digital devices by bus drivers while on duty. In a circular issued today, the BMTC warned that drivers caught using devices for calls, music, or chatting will face immediate and severe disciplinary action, including suspensions, salary deductions, transfers, and even termination for repeat offenders.

The crackdown follows a series of recent accidents involving BMTC buses, some of which resulted in fatalities. Internal investigations revealed that driver distraction due to mobile phone use was a contributing factor in several incidents, prompting the BMTC to implement stricter regulations.

“These penalties are in the interest of public safety and to protect the corporation’s image,” a BMTC official stated. “We have a responsibility to ensure the safety of our passengers and the public, and we will not tolerate any behavior that jeopardizes that.”

The new rules classify mobile phone use while driving as a “red mark” violation. First-time offenders will face a 15-day suspension, a transfer, and a ₹5,000 salary deduction. Repeat offenses will result in increasingly severe penalties, culminating in potential termination for trainee drivers and substantial salary deductions and loss of increments for permanent employees.

The BMTC has reserved the right to impose additional punishments under its Conduct and Discipline Rules, 1971. The stringent measures are expected to significantly reduce accidents and improve road safety in Bengaluru.

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