Kottayam ∙ ‘If you take a job, you should get your salary, if you don’t, you will still protest’ – KSRTC conductor Akhila S. Nair’s words. Akhila was transferred from Vaikom depot to Pala on the day after wearing the badge of ‘Salmasala 41-am Divas’. KSRTC’s position is that the protest defamed the government. They came to work wearing protest badges on January 11.
‘With the non-payment of salary for December 2022, the household affairs fell into disarray. Husband is a Saptaha Acharya of Selvaraj Temples. No fixed income. My family survives on my salary. There are household expenses and loan repayments. He should also look after his son’s affairs. They protested without interrupting the service and without bothering anyone. I did not throw stones at the bus or disturb the passengers’ – said Akhila, a native of TV Puram.
Pala Depot is 50 km from home. If the duty is in the morning, you have to leave the evening before. If you stay, you won’t be able to get home. Akhila also said that there is no rest room for women in Pala like in Vaikam.
Akhila, an MSc and B.D., has been a KSRTC employee for 13 years. Last year, when he did not get his salary for the months of March and April, he went on a hunger strike at the Vaikom depot on Vishu day.
English Summary: KSRTC conductor Akhila S Nair protest against not giving salary