Chennai: About 3,000 employees who were assigned to “light duty” roles in government transport corporation depots have returned to regular duties as drivers and conductors, according to reports.
Tamil Nadu’s eight state transport corporations operate more than 20,000 buses daily. Across 330 depots, around 1.21 lakh staff work as drivers, conductors and mechanical division employees.
Employees said light-duty postings are meant for those with medical limitations, typically in sections such as control rooms, ticketing and cash. They alleged that such postings had often been occupied in large numbers by those linked to ruling-party unions, which traditionally held influence in the transport department.
With a change in the state’s political situation and a new government expected to take charge, staff who were on light duty have reportedly been moved back to operational roles. Workers also pointed to around 30% vacancies remaining unfilled, which they said has affected full-scale bus operations.
They urged the administration to ensure that light-duty assignments are provided only to those who genuinely require them, based on proper medical certification, without union-based discrimination, in departments including control rooms, ticketing and cash sections.
