KOCHI: Following the threat by the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) officials to go on an indefinite strike against the alleged "unjust" suspension of Perumbavoor Joint RTO Shahi Madhavan, Transport Commissioner Tomin J Thachankary has assured that steps will be taken to withdraw the suspension with immediate effect.
And Thachankary gave the undertaking at a joint meeting of MVD Gazetted Officers’ Association and the Kerala Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspectors' Association representatives convened by him at the Transport Commissioner's chamber.
"His suspension followed charges of violation of the MVD rules in issuing temporary licences to seven gas tankers.
"We have submitted all the relevant details that were collected while issuing the temporary certificate. The action was taken against the Joint RTO only to please the mafia, who are a threat to society. He( Transport Commissioner) fully understood the matter and agreed to take steps to cancel the suspension with immediate effect," said Jebi Cheriyan, general secretary, Kerala Motor Vehicles Department Gazetted Officers' Association, who attended the meeting.
The Association members staged a strike in protest against the unjust suspension and the MVD's alleged bias towards the tipper mafia.
According to the Association members, the joint RTO's suspension was the result of the immense pressure from the tipper mafia.
"The Transport Commissioner said he(Joint RTO Shahi Madhavan) will be taken back into service after the new government assumes office. But if the authorities were to renege on the promise, we will resume the protest which will paralyse the department," he added.
Even as the Association alleged that tipper and Taurus lorry operators were behind the fake complaints, they said the Joint RTO had invited the wrath of tipper operators by taking action against them for many offences, including overloading and over speeding.