Minister Ganesh Kumar draws flak, HC quashes transfer in name of water bottles 

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has quashed KSRTC's action of transferring a driver for placing water bottles in front of the bus. The court quashed the order after observing that he was transferred without sufficient reason. Jaimon Joseph, a driver of Ponkunnam depot, was transferred on the directions of Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar.

The court criticized the transfer in harsh language. The court criticized that a transfer without a valid reason should be considered a punitive measure and is an excessive use of power. During the argument, the court asked KSRTC whether a transfer is always the solution when a disciplinary issue arises. The court also asked how a transfer to a distant place for keeping water bottles in the bus would be proportionate.

Driver Jaimon had pointed in his plea that the action was unilateral and unconstitutional and that the transfer was based solely on the allegations of the minister. The plea had stated that the water bottles kept for use were kept near the glass in the driver's cabin because there was no other place and that the minister insulted him in front of the media.

Action was taken against three employees of the Pokunnam depot on October 1 following the directions of the minister. The minister got angry for placing the water bottles in front of the bus. Seeing this, the minister stopped the bus at Ayoor and scolded the employees. Soon action was taken. The employees' organizations had objected to the minister's action.