Consider Modernising Toilets, Wash Areas: Kerala High Court Suggests Launching 'Back To KSRTC Movement'

The Kerala High Court on Monday recommended that the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) be updated with modern facilities to restore public faith in the Corporation, thereby augmenting its revenue. 

Justice Devan Ramachandran suggested that the KSRTC should begin by improving its facilities such as toilets and wash areas and called this process the 'Back to KSRTC movement'.

"The basic amenities of the KSRTC will require to be modernized and bettered, particularly its wash areas, toilets and such other, so that more and more people will come back to the KSRTC for travel. This is the "Back to KSRTC" movement and this will certainly be possible with the initiatives that this Court is willing to oversee." 

The Court highlighted that although there were certain groups who called for the shut down of the Corporation, the survival of the KSRTC was critical not just to its numerous employees but also to the general public who rely on it for their daily commute.

"The survival of the KSRTC is vital and not even a whispering mention of its closure at any point can be countenanced because it provides direct and indirect employment to large sections of persons, while it is used by over six lakhs of people every day for their travel. There can be no substitution to this through any other method, particularly in a welfare State." 

The observation came in a plea moved by the KSRTC employees alleging that they are not being paid salary promptly. KSRTC has been undergoing a major financial crisis since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

When the matter was taken up last time, the Employee Association had informed the Court that all strikes and disruptive activities on the premises of the KSRTC and its offices will be immediately ceased and that they will not disrupt the functioning of the KSRTC. The Judge was pleased to see that this assurance had been complied with by the employees and the trade unions till now. 

Previously, the Single Bench had also ordered that drivers, conductors, ministerial staff, mechanical staff, and store staff must be paid their salaries before the supervisory officers. Today, the Court modified this order by including sweepers, part-time sweepers, garage mazdoor, peon/office attenders, both regular or on contract, in the list of vulnerable employees who are to be paid before supervisory officers.

Special Government Pleader Santhosh Kumar submitted that the State had released ₹20 crores to the KSRTC as an interim measure. This was appreciated by the High Court as a welcome move in the pursuit of reviving KSRTC. The Government Pleader also added that the High-Level Committee had started convening unofficial meetings.  

It was further submitted that the official meetings would be called for and decisions would be taken by the Chief Minister once the Legislative Assembly Session was concluded. 

Standing Counsel Deepu Thankan appeared for KSRTC and informed the Court that for the first time in several months, the KSRTC had earned a surplus of ₹3.52 Crores in June 2022 and added that it would consider betterment of its facilities within its means. This submission was recorded in the order. 

The Court will take up the matter on August 2, by which time the State has ben directed to provide an action plan to be decided at a high level meeting which is scheduled convened under the aegis of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Case Title: R Baji v Kerala State Road Transport Corporation & Ors.

Citation: 2022 LiveLaw (Ker) 341

Click Here To Read/Download The Order