Ministerial shift spurs reversal: KSRTC to scrap district offices

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As part of the renovation package, the district office reform implemented in KSRTC has been rescinded. The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Minister K B Ganesh Kumar. District offices will be eliminated and administration will be transferred back to old depots.

Decentralization of administration was introduced a year and a half ago based on the Prof. Sushil Khanna report. District offices were established to address the shortage in middle management and reduce administrative costs. The management asserted its success. However, with the change in minister, these claims have been questioned.

Reforms instituted during the tenure of the first transport minister in the LDF government, Antony Raju are being rolled back. This transition will also impact employees. When the office was relocated to district centers, various items including service records were lost. Similar challenges may arise during this reversion.

Several reforms implemented in KSRTC during the initial two and a half years of the second Pinarayi government are being reversed due to perceived losses. District workshops were halted following the declaration of electric buses as unprofitable. Additionally, seven officials including the finance manager appointed on a contractual basis have been dismissed.