3,861 empanelled conductors of KSRTC removed from service

: Acting on a directive from the Kerala High Court, the state transport Corporation (KSRTC) has removed 3,861 empanelled conductors from service.

The order to this effect was issued Sunday by the court in Kochi to comply with its December 6 direction on a petition by Antony Stejo and others, who alleged that these conductors were blocking recruitment of conductors in the Public Service Commission (PSC) rank list to the post of reserve conductors.

The court had held that the vacant posts should be filled from the rank list of the PSC.

"The workers have been disengaged. They were told yesterday not to report for duty from Monday", Tomin J Thachankary, KSRTC Managing Director, told PTI.

The High Court Monday asked Thachankary to file a compliance report on the termination of the 3,861 empanelled employees after turning down the corporation's plea for two months time to comply with the direction.

A division bench, headed by Justice V Chidambaresh, declined KSRTC'S plea and directed the corporation to report its compliance by Tuesday.

Those who have completed 10 years of service and put in a minimum of 120 days of service each year are liable to be retained, the court said.

Meanwhile, many of the workers broke down on hearing the news.

A woman conductor, who lost her job, told reporters that she was looking after her aged parents through her earnings.