KOTTAYAM: Kottayam district transport officer (DTO) was suspended for reportedly trying to invite the issue of staff shortage in the department before the minister at a public function. The KSRTC MD suspended DTO George Thomas on charges of violation of discipline and dereliction, on the basis of a complaint filed by Dejo Kappen, managing trustee of Center for Consumer Education.
The incident that led to the suspension occurred on May 9, 2015, in which George complained of the shortage of staff in the district unit of KSRTC in front of Finance Minister K M Mani at a public function in Pala, organised as part of the inauguration of the services of new Jnrum buses from Pala depot.
While delivering his welcome speech, George pointed out that the staff shortage often leads to cancellation of schedules in Kottayam - Thodupuzha and Pala - Ponkunnam routes and requested the intervention of the minister in addressing the issue.
In the suspension order, it has been observed that by raising the issue in a public meeting instead of department levels and delivering a misleading speech that the Corporation is inefficient, George has violated discipline and it is an act of serious dereliction. According to the complainant Dejo Kappen, George’s speech tarnished the reputation of the Corporation before the public and such issues should have been raised at departmental levels. “As a representative of the Corporation and while holding an esteemed post, he Should not have made such a speech publicly,” said Dejo.