In Karnataka, the indefinite strike by public transport workers continues for the second day today. The Deputy Chief Minister R. Ashoka, holding transport portfolio, held series of discussion with representatives of the employees till late night yesterday without yielding any result. Mr. Ashoka has ruled out any discussion on revision of salary of the workers. He, however, asked the employees to end the strike and come back to work so that other demands could be discussed. He has already warned that ESMA will be invoked if workers do not return to work. The employees have put forth more than 40 demands to the management of the transport Corporation, including a salary hike of 30 per cent, reforms in working style of bus depot and regularisation of 33,000 trainee employees.The Minister has claimed that a 10 per cent hike in salary announced last month is unprecedented. He said the transport employees are paid highest salary in South India. The strike for the second day has severely affected public transport, with people hitch-hiking ride on private vehicles. The transport department had permitted private vehicles, including maxi-cabs to operate from all Government bus stations. Those indulging in stone pelting and scuttling bus services are being arrested by police since yesterday.