Last month, City Express had reported about the conductors of Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses finding innovative ways to earn money, cheating passengers as well as the corporation.
Undoubtedly, the rising cases of corruption among BMTC bus conductors have been giving nightmares to the higher officials. City Express spoke to a few BMTC bus conductors on the present system and the contributory factors for the increasing level of corruption.Manjunath, who has been working as a BMTC bus conductor from the last one year says, "Life as a bus conductor is hectic. We work eight hours a day and we are paid just Rs 5000 per month in which minimum Rs500 is always deducted for some or the other reason. Moreover, we work on all the seven days a week. We have two years of training period and till then we are paid Rs 5000. Gradually the salary increases, but not substantially. It takes time. Salary is different for drivers and conductors. In fact, sometimes we work overtime and we are never paid for it. If we work ten hours more than usual, only five is considered. We don't get holidays even if it is an emergency. If a passenger forgets his bus pass and if we allow them to travel without ticket, we have to pay a fine of `800. Even after the strike, there is no hike in our salary. It all went in vain. To live in Bangalore, `5000 a month is not at all enough. We are not at all treated properly."
On the various tricks used by the conductors to cheat the passengers, he stated, "It is impossible for us to make money by not giving change to the passengers as everybody thinks. Sometimes we are also helpless; even we won't be having change."
Voicing a similar opinion, Rajappa in Shivajinagar bus stand said, "Bangalore has become very costly. Today, one has to think twice before purchasing basic necessities. The salary is not enough to maintain the household activities, so many conductors adopt ways to cheat the passengers. And why is the finger been pointer towards us? What about the politicians and bureaucrats who are involved in cheating the public of lakhs of rupees?"
On the other hand, Jay Prakash, who has served with BMTC for 31 years and earns Rs 20,000 per month says, "I started my career with BMTC with Rs 500. Today a fresher starts with Rs 5000. I do not think the younger lot should have any issue with the present system. Currently, we work on eight hours shift system - 6am to 2pm, 2pm to 10pm, 7am to 7pm, 12 pm to 12 am. In the latter two shifts, there is provision for one to take rest as well as night halt. The system has changed over the years for the better and youngsters cannot indulge in corruption on the pretext of low salary payment."
When City Express spoke to managing director of BMTC, Anjum Pervez, he said, "It is only in this country that employees at the lower end are paid very well. Of course, when it comes to the employees at the higher end, it cannot match with the private sector. As far as salary of the bus conductors goes, they have nothing to complain. Also, I feel the richness of a person has nothing to with his morality."
