Chennai: A Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) bus driver, who developed fits six month ago while driving and then was made a painter in a city’s bus depot, has requested for transfer following alleged pressure from Tondiarpet depot officials.
According to norms, the MTC staff, who fall ill while on duty should be given suitable jobs in accordance with their physical conditions after the staffer shows their medical certificates attained from medical board in government hospitals (GHs).
In this case, the bus driver was given a security job in the beginning, but later, his higher-up forced him to work as a painter in the depot against norm.
The victim, S. Saravanan, who operated a small bus (S-61) from Moolakkadai to Perambur, recounted his ordeal to this reporter that in January, 2017 while he was driving the bus, he fell sick and developed fits.
“However, I stopped the bus along the road safely. After that I was asked to undergo medical test to get medical test and certificate from medical board in Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH). I did the same and got the medical certificate showing me as ‘unfit’, which meant that I could not work as a driver again,” he told DC, adding that after this the MTC posted him as security in Tondiarpet depot (II) in accordance with the norms.
While he worked hassle-free for six months as a security, he had to face another ordeal from his higher-up. “Despite knowing the fact that I am unfit for working as a driver, my branch manager of the depot started harassing me to undergo another medical test. I refused him explaining that I can fall sick anytime, because I contracted fits that can develop anytime,” Saravanan said.
In no time, the branch manager asked him to work as a painter. “I was instructed to paint the wall in the store and other buildings inside the depot,” he said. He ran from pillar to post for help, but officials turned a deaf year, the visibly upset staffer said.
According to MTC crew, this is not the first case. “More such cases go unreported and crew have to bear major brunt of higher-ups’ anger,” said another staff. When contacted, a senior MTC official, said the authorities had relieved him from Tondiarpet depot. He also added that they would investigate the matter.
