Thiruvananthapuram: KSRTC services across the state are likely to go haywire with the mass dismissal of empanelled conductors. As many as 3 ,861 empanelled conductors have been served dismissal order by KSRTC. While 1,650 of them are from central region, 850 are from northern region and 1,361 from southern region.The dismissal order was issued in compliance with the interim order of the high court which directed KSRTC to immediately dispense with the service of empanelled conductors to accommodate those who have been advised by the Kerala Public Service Commission, except those who had been regularized in 2013.KSRTC had to call back its employees who were on leave on Monday to operate the bus schedules as more than 20% of the operation crew are empanelled conductors.The mass dismissal is likely to affect nearly 1,000 schedules across the state, said transport minister A K Saseendran. The dismissal of the empanelled staff will be a blow to the attempts to financially stabilize KSRTC, the minister said in Kozhikode. “We have now requested the permanent staff to surrender their leave and return to duty to minimise the cancellation of trips. The employees are offered special allowances for surrendering their leaves,” Saseendran said.The move would benefit KSRTC in the long run with the appointment of more efficient and skilled staff through PSC recruitment, which will put an end to allegations of backdoor appointment.“It will be difficult for many among us to find another job. The government, should have taken some initiative in this regard, when the HC issued the order. This mass dismissal could be a step towards improving the staff ratio by reducing the number of staff,” an empanelled conductor from city depot.On Monday, a collective of empanelled conductors submitted a petition at the HC to review the interim order.“New recruits would be able to join the service operation only after one-month training. We need to arrange the staff, who will have to work on multiple duties as a stop gap arrangement,” said an official from KSRTC.In a meeting of the empanelled employees in Thiruvananthapuram KSRTC chairman and MD Tomin J Thachankary asked the empanelled employees to consider the dismissal as a break or holiday, until the final verdict is given.“It is not due to lack of interest on the part of KSRTC management that such an interim order was received. We had dealt with several issues earlier and this also need to be considered in the same spirit. We need to obey the HC order. It was the mistake on the part of KSRTC, which sent a report on shortage of staff to PSC, while there were enough number of staff. I request the staff to not be depressed as necessary steps will be taken,” said Thachankary.The KSRTC joint council of trade unions have decided to protest in front of secretariat on Friday against the mass dismissal.(With inputs from Kochi and Kozhikode)

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