KSRTC to create new cadre of driver-cum-conductors for long-distance services

KSRTC crisis deepens, CMD comes up with layoff  proposal

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is set to cut down the number of crew required to run its long-distance services. Driver-cum-conductors would be appointed as per a new salary contract system and a new cadre for such a double role would be created.

As per the new salary norms which came into effect Thursday promotions will be granted to staff belonging to all categories on the basis of vacancies. With the signing of the new contract, the monthly expenditure on salary would increase from Rs 84 crore to Rs 100 crore.

KSRTC Chairman and Managing Director Biju Prabhakar signed the agreement in the presence of Transport Minister Antony Raju and representatives of the three recognised employees unions.

Key points of the contract

As per the new salary contract, a driver would get Rs 100 as bata for each duty that he discharges beyond 20 duties a month. The women employees would be granted one-year leave without pay besides the existing 180 days of pregnancy leave. They will be considered for pension, promotion and increment during this period.

Women availing the long leave would be given Rs 5,000 per month as child care allowance.

The conductors above the age of 45 and mechanical department staff would be allowed one year to five years leave with 50 percent salary.

The number of holidays per year would be fixed at 15, restricted holidays 4, local holidays one.

A KSRTC Employees Welfare Fund will be constituted with the participation of employees. The monthly contribution for the fund will be deducted from the employees salary.The employees who do not avail assistance from the fund would be given back 50 percent of the deposited amount without interest and the same would be applicable for the next of the kin of employees who die while in service.

Appointments will be made as pump operator, driver, driver-cum-conductor in a phased manner on the applications received for appointments against dying in harness.

Employees who do not discharge 190 duties a year wouldn't be given increment or promotion. This will also be applicable for calculating the pension.

The kin of employees who die while on duty, would be given Rs 50,000 (now Rs 10,000) for final rites. In case of death of employee who is not on duty, the kin would be given Rs 5,000 (now Rs 2,000) for final rites.

A three-member committee would be entrusted with the responsibility of finding a solution regarding the reinstatement of 8,500 empanelled employees whose services were terminated earlier. A separate labor society will be constituted to reinstate mechanical department employees whose services were terminated.

Agents for ticket sales

Even though the ticket reservation counters will remain in major depots, in order to raise the income agents would be deployed on a commission basis for sale of tickets.

There is also provision for appointing staff in mobile vans for the maintenance of buses.

For interstate services beyond 500 km for destinations like Bengaluru, a crew change facility will be put in place at the suitable terminal.

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