Kochi: Days after a trade union started a ‘Save KSRTC’ campaign under which funds are being collected from staff to buy a new bus for the corporation, newly-appointed Managing Director M.G. Rajamanickam on Monday came out strongly against the “benevolent act”, saying the initiative is unlawful and warrants strict punitive action.
The KSRTC Employees Union (CITU) had kicked off the campaign last week by asking each staff under it to donate a minimum Rs 500 for the “cause”. The money collected thus was planned to be deposited in the MD’s account for buying a new bus as part of its efforts to save the loss-making corporation. “It has come to the notice of the management the attempts by a recognized union to collect donations from its members and help the corporation buy a new bus. However, since such an act is unlawful no one should indulge in such fund collection,” the Managing Director said in a circular issued to all depots across the state.
He further warned that strict action will be taken upon the employees found donating or collecting money. “It the staff is truly dedicated, then they should save the corporation by performing their duties efficiently and to the best of their ability rather than indulging in such fund collection. The union should exhort its members to perform their duties without fail,” he said in the communication. Earlier, there were charges that the union’s initiative post the demonetization move smells a rat. Many had doled out upto Rs 5000 even when the corporation is defaulting their allowances.
