Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) employees have staged a mass protest against Managing Director Biju Prabhakar over his claims accusing employees of irregularities. TDF, a part of Congress’ INTUC, headed the protests that started from Thampanoor to the Chief Office of KSRTC in Kizhakkekotta.
They demanded a public apology from Prabhakar.
While addressing media today, the MD alleged major irregularities in KSRTC and nearly Rs 100 crore was missing during the 2012-2015 period. He further said that actions will be taken against the then Accounts Manager KM Sreekumar and executive director PM Sharaf Muhammed. Currently, Sreekumar is the Executive Director in charge of Dy Chief Accounts Officer (P&A).
He said that KSRTC was going through a major financial crisis and the decision to sell and lease the KSRTC owned lands was to overcome the severe crisis. The MD adds that the decision to lease Vikas Bhavan Depot to KIIFB was transparent.
"None of the employees will be fired, but the number of people will be reduced," he said. As a measure to revive the reeling KSRTC, in the first phase, the number of employees will be reduced to 22,000 and then to 15,000, and later reduced to 10,000. The MD further claims that some employees are opposing CNG to continue cheating in the name of diesel expense. He added that not all the employees are seen as such, but at least 10% are involved in such activities.
The fraud is not only limited to diesel but in the ticket machine also. Of the employees, 7,090 are still using the old tickets to continue the fraud. Efforts are also being made to assist the long-distance bus service providers, he claims.
Also, there are irregularities in the procurement of materials in KSRTC workshops. Strict actions will be taken against those who have committed such activities, he stressed. He added that a comprehensive change would be made in the next three to five years.
Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Elamaram Kareem also said that the statement made by the MD was inappropriate.
