Tomin Thachankary was removed as KSRTC MD one fine morning even though his hard work and sincerity had started showing result in saving KSRTC from bankruptcy and destruction. This puzzling change in the KSRTC’s top office was the result of the stupidity of union leaders who had been controlling the Corporation’s administration.

Like a bolt from the blue, Thachankary was removed when the KSRTC had attained the financial positon to disburse employee salary on the first day of a month, without begging before the government for money or mortgaging any depot.

By cutting down on expenses and bringing in several reformations in the administration, Thachankary was able to increase the daily income of the KSRTC by over Rs Seven Crore.

KSRTEA has now come out with the programme called Bus Day in order to show that Thachankary’s removal had not affected the KSRTC in any way.

But reports say Bus Day failed even before it started in full swing. The first day income from the Bus Day was Rs 5.60 crore in the place of Rs 6.5 core it is used to get earlier. The union’s explanation is that this dip in income need not be seen as a failure and they aim at 100 days’ action programme and the income will rise in the coming days.

The success of the programme will benefit KSRTC employees and their family but for commuters; strong steps are needed to solve their problems.

The first thing needed is the guarantee that bus schedules are operated without obstruction. Following empanelled employees’ issue, many schedules have been disrupted. Many commuters along nationalised routes are at inconvenience. There are hints that the execution of administrative orders are again in the hands of Union leaders ever since the expulsion of Thachankary.
Many of the ill practices like Other Duty (getting salary without doing duty) have returned to the system after Thachankary stepped down.

During the tenure of Thachankary, the main reason for increase in the income was that Other duty employees where assigned earlier schedules and made to do their duty.

When the KSRTC was moving towards progress with clear-cut goal, Thachankary was removed as its MD all on a sudden under pressure from union leaders. This pushed the corporation to anarchy once again.

The union leadership will have to introspect whether it is ethical to take salary without doing job, under the shade of Union. Those who are celebrating their freedom following the expulsion of Thachankary should not spurn the reformation brought in by him for the progress and existence of KSRTC.

A big section of employees feel that reforms of Thachankary had brought in good results. The Employees Association which is coming up with its 100-day programme to resurrect KSRTC should approach the cooperation, considering the reality of the situation. They will be able to increase income only if they are able to attract commuters.

For that schedules, should be operated punctually without fail. Other duty should be allowed only in unavoidable circumstances.
In routes where private buses are ruling the roost, new schedules should be made.

A special officer has been appointed to enhance the efficacy of the KSRTC. Now the onus lies on him to ensure that the KSRTC income increases and schedules are rearranged to attract more people.

It is already proved that nothing will happen in KSRTC without the corporation of unions. Hence the special officer will have to take the union also into confidence before doing some new experiments.

As far as unions are considered, the running of KSRTC will be an unbearable task. Another question raised is “will another saviour come forward to help KSRTC?”