Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Oct 20: The conductors of KSRTC buses are getting terminated and facing disciplinary action after the Shakti, free travel scheme for women in the state is introduced by the state government.

The government is suspecting that the KSRTC is simply submitting more numbers of women passengers after the Shakti scheme is implemented. Now ticket checking is made strict. Though the conductors are giving proper accounts, during checking, variation is seen in women passengers causing them to face disciplinary action.

Women take ticket from a particular destination to another destination. However, they get down in between, which is putting the conductors in trouble. When the ticket checker comes, he is unable to find the said women passengers. It is not possible for one conductor to keep track of all women passengers in the bus. More than 200 conductors across the state have been suspended for the same reason.

In the circular that is taken out by the KSRTC after introduction of the scheme, this matter is mentioned seriously. If it comes to light that a conductor has issued more tickets than the actual number of women passengers, it will be considered as serious issue in city and general transport and very serious in Vegadhoot service.

A conductor, who is under suspension said, “I have been suspended for three months for no fault of mine. We get only half salary for three months. We do not get increment all our lives. In addition, we are sent to other units. After Shakti scheme is introduced, there is considerable increase in the number of women passengers. Is it possible to monitor every one during journey?”