GUWAHATI:
An ASTC (Assam State Transport Corporation) bus was seized and the driving licence of the driver was kept for suspended following a complaint filed by a passenger for misbehaviour and misconduct in the Adabari-Basistha route of Guwahati, on July 15.
The complainant, Arunabh Chaliha, brought the matter to the notice of the transport minister Parimal Suklabaidya and secretary of the transport department, Adil Khan through a [post in s popular micro-blogging website.
Following the complaint, a case was registered against the driver under Section182(2) relating to offences such as misbehaviour, use of abusive language and driving dangerously.
“A city bus running under ASTC in Adabari- Basistha Road misbehaving passengers by the driver and conductor. Even challenges Transport Minister & MVI also by using abusive words. Go to MVI and see what can do against us etc (sic),” Chaliha had written in the post.
“In the wake of a complaint, the driver of the bus was asked to report to the DTO enforcement wing. A case was registered against the driver. The vehicle has been seized and is kept under custody. The driving license of the driver is also kept for suspension,” said Khan.
Transport minister Suklabaidya has made it clear that any employee of public transport involved in serious misconduct will be dealt with severely as part of the government’s zero-tolerance approach towards such offences.
In another incident, a show cause notice was served to the divisional superintendent (I/c), ASTC, Silchar by the managing director of ASTC on directions of the transport minister following a complaint from a passenger regarding the suspension of night super service from Silchar to Guwahati without any valid reason on July 10.
Subsequently, an alternative bus was arranged by ASTC on the instruction of the transport minister. Seeking a reply to the show cause notice within three days, the managing director said the sudden decision by the divisional superintendent in charge to suspend the night bus service not only resulted in the loss of revenue but also lowered the image of the ASTC in the eyes of the general public.