KOTTAYAM: The KSRTC is callous towards its employees who serve it for years together. This has been proved in the case of M.V. Vipin, 42, a mechanic with the KSRTC depot at Changanassery, who met with a serious accident on February 2, 2017 and has been undergoing treatment at the MCH here. Though he has 18 years of service with the corporation, the officials have shown scant regard to his pathetic condition.
Vipin of Paruthumpara Madampukattu near Kottayam was injured in his left leg while lowering the housing (back portion) of a bus using a hydrolic jackey. He sustained two fractures in his thighs and damaged the muscles which were reinstated by taking portions from his right thigh. According to the doctors, he needs at least one more year of treatment to come back to normal life. For that, an immediate surgery is needed. Till now, they have spent Rs 3 lakh for the treatment, said his mother Santhamma.
He is bedridden with his left leg pierced with iron rods. Pus oozes out of the wounds regularly, she said. He is the only earning member of his family consisting of his wife, daughter and aged mother. Vipin had entered the service following the death of his father M.M. Vijayan, who served the corporation for over 28 years. The corporation did not extend Vipin any help except giving Rs 15,000 initially.
Though he had approached the authorities with his case many times, they remained indifferent. He is supposed to get salary now since he is undergoing treatment as per the service provisions. However, the authorities are delaying the payment citing the absence of a fitness certificate. "They say that I should produce a medical fitness certificate for getting the pending salary and allowances. How can I produce a certificate when I cannot stand on my own," he told DC. He says no one from his office has visited him so far. He had taken bank loans for his treatment and they have been demanding to repay the money causing him more worries.
