KSRTC in for total change

KOZHIKODE: The KSRTC is on the ‘revamp mode’ after M.G. Rajamanickam took over the reins as managing director a few weeks ago and the heat is felt from top to bottom, say officials. He has taken over a dozen crucial decisions and issued orders. Warning bells were given to the union leaders who keep off work. He has issued orders to report to him instances of  misbehaviour  and lightning strikes  ‘after taking action’ against the concerned. Moves are afoot to relocate the majority of 2,000 ticket-checkers, a much sought-after job in the KSRTC, in key bus stations as facilitators for conductors and passengers to help increase the collection.

Moreover, the drivers of long-distance  superclass and  superdeluxe inter-state services would double up  as conductors. Instructions were given to the drivers to undergo conductor training. The decision was taken at  a meeting held in the presence of the MD  on October 17. The order also directed all drivers of multi-axle Volvo and Scania services to ensure conductor licences before November 5 and to report the same to the Chief Traffic Manager. All the unit officers were directed to facilitate the same. Soon after Mr Rajamanickam assumed office,  a comparative study was conducted with three other major transport corporations of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

The restructuring and relocation of employees will be based on the recommendations of the study, sources said.  Early this month, though the MD  invited all the union leaders to discuss the possible changes in the corporation, the leaders of organizations affiliated to the CITU and the INTUC  kept off. Mr Rajamanickam has  ordered the higher officials  to act in the interest of the corporation.    In a shocker to the union leaders, he has directed all the zonal officers to stop reappointing  temporary conductors, drivers and mechanical staff, including those  expelled from the corporation due to various reasons like absence from service for a long period.