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Kannur: Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) boycotted the inauguration ceremony of the new KSRTC depot yard here on Saturday. The function was inaugurated by transport minister Antony Raju. It is learnt that CITU boycotted the function to protest against the minister over his comments against the trade unions. The Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) also boycotted the ceremony.
The minister had on several occasions mentioned that all the problems faced by KSRTC were caused by the intervention of trade unions. This is believed to have led to the boycott.
“The decisions regarding KSRTC are taken by the management. KSRTC is stooping further and further into losses due to these decisions. The responsibilities are then dumped over the unions. The unions claim that it is why they are boycotting. It is the decision of the government to implement the recommendation listed in the Sushil Khanna report. The government will not accept any move to interrupt the execution of the Sushil Khanna Committee report,” the minister said.
“The main recommendation put forward by the report was the implementation of the Single Duty System. There will be changes in the existing system, but it will result in a rise in the revenue,” he said. He also told the media that strict instructions have been given to KSRTC management to implement the new change.
However, there has been no clarity on when salaries will be given to the employees. The minister informed that Rs 20 crores have been granted by the government and that it will be used for buying fuel and other things.