'Driver Jaimon Joseph backed by UDF, compliments to the union that wants to destroy KSRTC'; Minister mocks

KOLLAM: Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar has launched an accusation against the driver in the bottled water controversy in the KSRTC bus. Ganesh Kumar alleged that the UDF union was behind the driver who faced action. The response came after the High Court quashed the minister's action.

Ganesh Kumar said that it was the who UDF paid for the senior lawyer in the High Court and that their desire was that the KSRTC should not improve. The minister also mocked the union's efforts to destroy KSRTC. "I accept the court order quashing the driver's transfer. However, there is no obstacle to taking departmental action," Ganesh Kumar said.

The High Court had quashed the action of the Transport Department in transferring driver Jaimon Joseph for keeping a plastic bottle in a KSRTC bus. Jaimon Joseph was transferred following the intervention of Minister KB Ganesh Kumar. Justice N Nagaresh observed that his transfer was without sufficient reason.

The court also directed that the petitioner be allowed to continue working in the Ponkunnam unit. Driver Jaimon Joseph's demand was to cancel the order transferring him to the Puthukkad depot. The court said that it is essential for a long-distance bus driver to carry drinking water and that cannot be considered wrong.