Kerala warns KSRTC staff against zero tickets for men under women's scheme
Kerala Transport Minister CP John has warned of strict disciplinary action against KSRTC employees found misusing the state’s free bus travel scheme for women by
Kerala Transport Minister CP John has warned of strict disciplinary action against KSRTC employees found misusing the state’s free bus travel scheme for women by issuing “zero tickets” to male passengers. He said the malpractice would not be tolerated and that action would be taken immediately against those responsible. The minister also said the Priyadarshini free travel scheme was a women’s empowerment initiative and not merely a KSRTC scheme. Alongside defending its implementation, he addressed complaints of overcrowding after the scheme’s launch, the government’s plan to lease private buses for the Onam and Sabarimala seasons, and recent political developments including the protests over the alleged NEET examination leak. Read Full Story Responding to recent reports about conductors allegedly issuing zero-value tickets meant for women beneficiaries to male passengers, John said KSRTC had allowed some time at the start because the scheme was new. “A few days were given initially to correct mistakes as the scheme was new.
From now on, there will be no leniency. Anyone found indulging in such malpractice will face immediate suspension, followed by dismissal if necessary,” he said. KSRTC introduced the free travel scheme for women in ordinary category buses last month. Describing it as a women’s empowerment initiative, John said, “This is not KSRTC’s scheme; it is a women’s empowerment scheme. If anyone tries to undermine it, strict action will be taken.” At the same time, the minister praised most KSRTC employees for implementing the scheme well. “More than 99 per cent of the employees are cooperating sincerely. There is an 80 per cent rise in the number of women passengers, and the scheme is functioning successfully because employees are treating them with respect. Only a very small section is involved in such irregularities,” he said. On complaints of overcrowding on buses after the scheme was introduced, John said the heavy rush was expected in the initial phase.
“We do not have a social atmosphere where we can simply refuse passengers from boarding. At present, our foremost responsibility is to transport people safely. Drivers and conductors have been instructed to operate services carefully,” he said. Asked about the government’s decision to invite private buses on lease for KSRTC services during the Onam and Sabarimala seasons, the minister said the move was necessary because of a shortage of buses. He said KSRTC had not bought enough new buses over the past decade and many of its existing buses had grown old, making it difficult to handle the sharp rise in passenger demand during festival seasons. “During Onam, many people travelling to Kerala are forced to pay two or three times the normal fare charged by private operators. We wanted to deploy more good-quality, preferably air-conditioned buses, but there are not enough buses readily available,” he said. John appealed to private bus owners to lease buses to KSRTC and assured them that the entire daily ticket collection would be given to them.
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