KOZHIKODE: Transportation minister A K Saseendran said that none of the KSRTC employees have been dismissed and such reports are false.  

“The names of employees who have been absent for ten to twelve years were removed. KSRTC list includes names of those who have been working abroad for many years. As per the records, they are KSRTC employees, however they have not worked with the KSRTC for many years. Therefore, a notice was issued to more than 1000 people. Some of them came back and joined the department. Names of those who are not interested to work in the department were removed”, said the minister. “The bus strike called by private bus owners seeking to raise the ticket charge is not appropriate. The rates were increased six months ago and the bus owners should reconsider the decision to stage the protest against the government. The charges were raised six months ago after evaluating the situation faced by bus owners.  It is not right to protest against a government who have always taken a supportive stand”, A K Saseendran said.