Thiruvananthapuram: As expected the services of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) have been drastically hit after the mass termination of empanelled drivers. The bus services were hit as the public transporter terminated 2,108 empanelled drivers from service to meet a deadline set by the Supreme Court for June 30.
The transport secretary would call a meeting today to resolve the crisis.
Though it was announced that 606 services would be cancelled on Sunday, more services were reportedly disrupted.
As only permanent drivers are assigned for long trips, these services have not been affected. As many as 523 services were cancelled in the south zone as maximum drivers were ousted from this region. The official statistics claims that 36 services were cancelled in central zone and 47 in north zone. However, a district-wise analysis proves that more number of services were cancelled: Kozhikode - 104, Palakkad - 40, Wayanad - 25, Malappuram - 14, Kottayam - 23, and Pathanamthitta - 20. However, it was also pointed out that services are normally cancelled on Sundays due to fewer passengers.
As Monday is sure to witness a major rush, drivers have been asked to cancel their offs and report for duty. The government plans to recruit drivers for 179 days on contract.
The High Court had earlier asked the government to dismiss the empanelled conductors and drivers after complaints were filed that those in the PSC rank list were denied jobs. The order was upheld even by the Supreme Court. After the deadline set by the SC expired, as many as 2,108 empanelled drivers were dismissed on Sunday.
Only 600 in place of 2,108
The transport department has decided that only a maximum of 600 drivers need be recruited on a contract basis in place of the 2,108 empanelled drivers who were ousted. Contract drivers should be assigned only for services that are deemed necessary. The data on the number of drivers and services as per this decision this would be presented on Monday’s meeting.
Though Transport Minister A K Saseendran is suffering from chicken pox, he would take part in the meeting over the phone.
