1,565 RTC drivers face dismissal

KOCHI/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Following its order to dismiss empanelled conductors, the high court on Monday ordered the dismissal of 1,565 empanelled drivers in Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). A division bench ordered the dismissal and sought appointment of new drivers from PSC rank list. The court has directed to implement the order by April 30.

Earlier, PSC rank listed drivers had approached the high court seeking their appointment in KSRTC at the earliest.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the state government may appeal against the high court verdict, before April 30. KSRTC CMD M P Dinesh said in the state capital that a decision in this regard would be taken after discussing with the government.

“Legal experts will be consulted for filing an appeal, especially in the backdrop of the election model code of conduct being in force,” said transport minister A K Saseendran.

KSRTC had dismissed a total 3,861 empanelled conductors from service in December 2018, following a HC order to appoint conductors from the PSC list. Many of the KSRTC schedules were then cancelled and KSRTC had to ask drivers to take conductor license and work as conductors.

“A collective of empanelled drivers are planning to relieve from work before the deadline set by the court. This will affect the corporation’s operations. Assigning additional duties to conductors to work as drivers, is not likely to work, as many conductors do not have heavy vehicle driving licences,” said a KSRTC official.