Madurai
Government bus employees have welcomed recent changes in transport corporation practices that, they say, prevent misuse of “other duty” postings even by members of ruling-party unions. However, they have called for a more comprehensive reform in how alternative jobs are assigned to staff who have lost medical fitness.
The shift follows a March 5 order of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, which said conductors and drivers belonging to ruling-party unions should not be given administrative assignments under the label of “other duty”. In depots, the resulting vacancies are now being filled by drivers and conductors who became medically unfit due to accidents or health reasons.
Employees alleged that the alternative-duty system had earlier been misused, allowing some to draw salaries without reporting to work, leading to revenue loss for the department. While they said the court ruling has brought relief, they pointed out that many staff have education only up to Class 10 or Class 12 and struggle when suddenly assigned computer-based tasks involving handling large sums.
They also noted that several roles—such as fuel filling, vehicle maintenance support and office assistance—remain vacant and could be considered for suitable postings. Senior transport officials said alternative jobs are allotted based on physical capability, with training, and that conductors already have experience in daily accounts. They added that the computer work given is limited to simple entries, and that cash-handling load has reduced due to free bus travel for women, e-ticketing and the availability of cash-counting machines.
