The vigilance and anti-corruption bureau (VACB) will conduct an inquiry into the alleged financial irregularities in the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) depot in Sulthan Bathery.
Transport minister Aryadan Muhammed made an announcement in this regard at Kalpetta on Sunday. He was speaking at a function organized by INTUC. “Those found guilty will be put behind the bars and the government will ensure that such incidents are not repeated in future. The procedures to hand over the case to the Vigilance department is on and we will not allow even a single person to escape,” said the minister.
There were allegations from various corners that government was trying to sabotage the police inquiry into the case by delaying the investigation process. Some trade unions of KSRTC also alleged that the police were trying to save some senior officials involved in the fraud case.
Initial investigation by the police revealed that the KSRTC employees in depot had swindled over Rs 11 lakh, by entering a lower amount in the daily collections in the system. Usually, the bus conductors deposit their daily collection at the cash counter after uploading the data from the ticketing machines to the master computer system at the depot. The verification is then done by the station master.
But many conductors have allegedly deposited the collection at the counter directly and pilfered a good amount daily by entering a lower collection amount into the system.
Police have registered a case against E Shajahan, senior assistant at the depot, and nine conductors in connection with the fraud case.
Meanwhile, KSRTC has suspended Shajahan and the conductors from service. Five empanelled conductors were also suspended from service in connection with the case.
Source: Times Of India
