Circular issued in 2024 against keeping items near windscreen, KSRTC informs Kerala HC

A day after the driver of a Fast Passenger bus belonging to the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) approached the Kerala High Court challenging his transfer as part of disciplinary action for keeping bottles on the dashboard of the bus, KSRTC on Wednesday filed an affidavit in the court stating that a circular has been issued in 2024 barring such practices.

Jaimon Joseph was granted transfer from Kottayam to Thrissur after Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar stopped the bus driven by Mr Joseph and took action against him for allegedly placing water bottles between the windshield and windshield.

According to the 2024 circular, towels, bags and other items should not be placed in such places. Instead they should be stored in bags and placed on the luggage rack. In addition, instructions were given to place garbage bins in all depots and buses. KSRTC said such measures have been taken to ensure cleanliness of buses.

Additionally, Mr. Ganesh Kumar, as Transport Minister, can recommend action against rule violations. In its statement, KSRTC said the transfer was part of disciplinary action.

Mr Joseph had on Tuesday maintained that he had completed his nine years of service in the KSRTC without any disciplinary action. He added that he carried two bottles of water with him throughout the 210-kilometer journey and that there was no alternative place to put the bottles in the driver’s cabin. The matter was sent for discussion on Thursday.