TIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Four months after an accident, Aji Kumar, a KSRTC employee, is unable to apply for the ‘other duty’ category in the corporation due to its recent decision. According to the KSRTC new order, only permanently disabled employees are eligible to apply for other duty categories. Employees who suffer from temporary injuries due to accidents are permitted to rejoin their original post after full recovery.
The modification of ‘other duty’ category is one of the many reasons raised by KSRTC’s four trade unions. The trade unions are all set to take out protest marches against the management. “I have been working for KSRTC for the past 14 years. In March, I was walking back home after duty when I was hit by a car. My right leg was fractured and I was admitted in the Medical College for one month. Being the only earning member in my family the accident shattered my family financially. So I applied for the other duty category last month.
“But my request was rejected stating the category has been removed by the corporation and it will be considered only if I submit a certificate proving my condition as a permanent disability,” said M Aji Kumar, KSRTC conductor, in Pappanamcode unit. Aji was forced to stop his ongoing house construction due to the financial burden after his accident. The treatment is also a crucial issue as he is unable to bare the expenses and has to depend on his brother. “My doctors said I could fully recover from my injuries in a period of about 5 to 6 months. So they did not provide me with a permanent disability certificate,” said Aji.
“At present, I am walking with the support of a walker and now I will be able to take up only light duties. Till I completely recover and rejoin duty, I can take care of my family with this income,” he said. There are many other employees who face similar problems. “The move to send back employees enjoying the other duty benefit using fake certificates is a good initiative. But the decision to reserve other duty for only permanently disabled should be withdrawn.
“This has been affecting those who suffer from temporary injuries. They have been pushed into financial crisis,” said S K Mani, INTUC leader of Pappanamcode depot. KSRTC CMD Tomin J Thachankary indicated the decision won’t be reconsidered. “The corporation is already facing huge financial burden. Being sympathetic towards such employees will add up to the losses. The corporation will take them back once they fully recover. No other preferences can be given to them,” he said.