Sunday, January 16, 2022

Court reprieve for MTC conductor suspended over deficit of ₹3

 Court reprieve for MTC conductor suspended over deficit of ₹3


TIMES NEWS NETWORK

15.01.2022

Chennai: A conductor with the metropolitan transport corporation who was suspended for a cash deficit of a mere ₹3 during inspection by MTC checking inspectors has successfully contested his suspension in a labour court. The court has set aside the order and directed MTC to issue consequential benefits due to the employee.

The court noted that the suspension order was issued without conducting any domestic enquiry and directed the earlier suspension be set aside. The court however held that the transport corpora- tion can conduct a fresh enquiry if required.

The transport workers’ union, which moved the petition on behalf of the conductor, Kolanji, stated in their petition that the conductor was suspended on December 17, 2005 after the checking inspec- tor found a deficit of three rupees and served with a memo for non co-operation and illtreatment towards superior officer, carelessness and indifference, for which Kolanji gave an explanation.

However, without considering the explanation and without conducting a domestic enquiry, the conductor was given a punishment of withholding increment for a year, against which the union moved the labour court. The corporation, in response contended that the conductor is a serial offender and argued for the petition to be dismissed.

Presiding officer of the principal labour court, Chen- nai, C Kumarappan, after perusing the submissions observed that as per the standing order of the transport corporation, it is mandatory to conduct domestic enquiry before awarding a punishment, except for censure or fine.

“Therefore, this court has no hesitation to hold that the order of suspension is liable to be set aside. Even then, the corporation is given liberty to have a domestic enquiry against the conductor according to the relevant law and standing order,” the presiding officer stated in his order and held that the conductor is entitled to have consequential benefits.

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