More than 50 KSRTC drivers here were in for a rude shock when they found that they had to pay fines on their salary day.
The KSRTC had taken a stance that drivers who are fined by the police and the Motor Department for over speeding have to pay the fines themselves. For the 50 drivers, the fines range from Rs 400 to Rs 9000. The drivers reacted that they were being made scapegoats because their buses did not have speedometers and speed alarms.
The KSRTC received notices for fines along with pictures of the buses that violated speed norms thanks to cameras set up on the highways. The department promptly deducted a specific amount from the pay of the drivers and issued them a notice in this regard. The fines date back to a year. Drivers came to know about the deduction only when they checked their accounts on salary day.
The drivers alleged that 90 percent of buses do not have speed alarms and that the Motor Department was behind removing the equipment from buses. Further, they said that many buses that are older than five years do not have speedometers. However, the KSRTC is not buying the arguments and has said that it would continue to penalize drivers for their speed manners. Further, the money would not be charged at one go, but as installments of Rs 500.
Meanwhile drivers’ organizations laid a siege on the office of the District Transport Officer. The siege was led by DCC president Tomy Kallani. Other office bearers vented their anger during the show.
