THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Transport Department has sought a legal opinion to check whether there are any legal barriers to re-employ empanelled conductors with over ten years of service.

Amongst the 3861 dismissed conductors, 1700 have over ten years of service. From this, 1500 people have not secured any other jobs. The government is considering to re-employ them. The ministerial meeting on Wednesday will discuss this.

The empanelled conductors were dismissed after the PSC rank holders with advice memo approached the HC. Subsequently, appointment orders were sent for 4,051 people. But only 1422 turned up for the job. On comparing the dismissed conductors and available positions, there are 2439 remaining vacancies. So there won’t be any major conflicts in employing experienced empanelled conductors. Meanwhile, empanel conductors are on strike for over a month requesting compensation.

Legal Barriers

KSRTC appointment should be made only through PSC

Temporary appointments for 179 days should be through Employment Exchange

KSRTC didn’t take any action to dismiss those who were past the employment period

The High Court might turn against the government if the empanelled conductors are re-employed

A section of the empanelled conductors are now working for private buses with a daily wage of Rs 700 which is way above the Rs 480 KSRTC paid for one duty. But many of these conductors did double duty for KSRTC, thereby earning a total of Rs 960.