THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Transport Commissioner S. Sreejith has reportedly expressed disagreement with certain conditions related to driving test reform. Despite ongoing protests by driving schools blocking the tests, the commissioner has not intervened and has been absent from the office for several days, reportedly on vacation.

The responsibility for issuing the driving test reform order fell to the Transport Secretary, rather than the commissioner. This decision came after an altercation between Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar and the Transport Commissioner last February, leading to a strained relationship between the two. Consequently, the Transport Secretary issued the order.

Driving School Joint Strike Committee insists they will not end their strike until the controversial order is withdrawn, urging the government to engage in discussions. However, Minister Ganesh Kumar asserts that the strike is unjustified and has made concessions already. His office emphasized the importance of not compromising public safety.

Despite the absence of tests yesterday, the protests by driving school students persisted, as driving tests are typically conducted on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Jayashankar Velukkapalli, State President of the Driving School Owners Committee, expressed concerns about potential conflicts of interest involving the transport minister and affirmed their commitment to the struggle.