Thiruvananthapuram: The ruling and opposition benches fought in the assembly over the flash strike conducted by KSRTC employees in the capital on Wednesday.
Though government also agreed with the opposition that the strike was unwarranted and unjust, opposition alleged that government was adopting a lukewarm response in this matter as it is not serious about acting against employees who held the capital to ransom for six hours.
Tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran replied to the notice, seeking leave for an adjournment motion, moved by Congress MLA M Vincent on behalf of the government. He said flash strikes cannot be justified.
“Lapses on the part of officials will be probed. Collector will ensure a probe; a preliminary report has been received. After receiving a detailed report, action will be taken,” he said.
But, opposition members alleged that the absence of chief minister and transport minister during discussions in the house were reasons enough to gauge the government’s sincerity.
The opposition rushed to the speaker’s dais when Surendran said that if the matter was that important, opposition could have entrusted it to someone senior instead of Vincent.
The speaker said that any member can raise the matter as everyone had equal rights and government too can decide who should answer on its behalf.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said it was strange that government asked the district collector, who didn’t intervene when the strike paralyzed the city, to conduct a probe. He said that government was taking the matter lightly and the chief minister, who was present in his office inside the assembly complex, failed to turn up for discussions in the house.
Vincent, who piloted the leave for adjournment motion, said government should provide financial compensation as well a job to the family of Surendran, who collapsed and died while waiting for a bus during the strike. The opposition also staged a walkout after the speaker refused to admit the adjournment motion.
Though government also agreed with the opposition that the strike was unwarranted and unjust, opposition alleged that government was adopting a lukewarm response in this matter as it is not serious about acting against employees who held the capital to ransom for six hours.
Tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran replied to the notice, seeking leave for an adjournment motion, moved by Congress MLA M Vincent on behalf of the government. He said flash strikes cannot be justified.
“Lapses on the part of officials will be probed. Collector will ensure a probe; a preliminary report has been received. After receiving a detailed report, action will be taken,” he said.
But, opposition members alleged that the absence of chief minister and transport minister during discussions in the house were reasons enough to gauge the government’s sincerity.
The opposition rushed to the speaker’s dais when Surendran said that if the matter was that important, opposition could have entrusted it to someone senior instead of Vincent.
The speaker said that any member can raise the matter as everyone had equal rights and government too can decide who should answer on its behalf.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said it was strange that government asked the district collector, who didn’t intervene when the strike paralyzed the city, to conduct a probe. He said that government was taking the matter lightly and the chief minister, who was present in his office inside the assembly complex, failed to turn up for discussions in the house.
Vincent, who piloted the leave for adjournment motion, said government should provide financial compensation as well a job to the family of Surendran, who collapsed and died while waiting for a bus during the strike. The opposition also staged a walkout after the speaker refused to admit the adjournment motion.
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