Breath analyzer test among KSRTC employees shows false positive results, even women were 'drunk' at work

KOCHI: All employees of KSRTC's Kothamangalam depot, who underwent the breath analyzer test to find those coming to work after consuming liquor, were found to be under the influence of alcohol. According to the test, women were also among the 'drunk' employees. Even when the team that came with the test device blew it, the result was positive.

The machine acted this way after checking over half of the employees. After further inspections, it became clear that the machine had malfunctioned. Following this, the inspection team stopped the checks and returned. No one on duty at the depot came to work drunk today.

KSRTC decided to conduct the breath analyzer test after increasing complaints about drunken employees. Conductors and drivers were mainly tested. Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar had also issued a directive that all employees, except women, should be allowed to enter duty only after checking and ensuring that they are not under the influence of alcohol. Disciplinary action has already been taken against many who failed the test.

The employees will know about the inspection only when they reach the depot for duty in the morning. Even if a person consumes alcohol a day before, they will fail the test. Hence, there were reports of officers trying to evade inspection by taking sudden leaves and avoiding breath analyzer tests.

Several such incidents were reported in Thiruvananthapuram. Employees not reporting work over fear of inspection also caused severe financial loss to KSRTC.

The transport minister had recently commented that with strict inspections, the drinking habit among the employees is decreasing along with accidents.