Attacking the Delhi Government for making DTC employees “scapegoats for winning public applause”, leader of Opposition in the Delhi legislative Assembly Vijender Gupta on Wednesday alleged that the AAP Government had suspended 11 DTC drivers for absence from duty while they were actually on leave.
In a letter to the Transport Minister, Gupta alleged that the employees were made scapegoat for winning public applause by the Delhi Government as Transport Minister wanted to show that his was a Government that did not tolerate indiscipline.
Transport Minister Gopal Rai had placed under suspension 20 drivers as they were found “absent” from duty during a surprise inspection on April 29. “It is matter of record that out of these, as many as 11 drivers were on leave by following due office procedure. Their leave has been recorded in Duty Officers Register,” Gupta wrote.
The BJP leader stressed that it is illegal to suspend an employee for absence when he was on leave as recorded in office documents. He added the office bearers of the Bharatiya Parvihan Mazdoor Maha Sangh and BMS apprised him of the injustice and demanded immediate reinstat-ement of the 11 drivers.
Gupta further alleged that the DTC issued their suspension letters in the first week of May charging that due to their absence, the out shedding of the evening shift was effected. He also alleged that the passengers had to face inconvenience as a result of their unscheduled absence, also leading to spoiling of DTC’s image and financial loss to the organisation.
Gupta demanded an apology from the Tranport Minister for “hasty and strong headed action” and ensure that such actions are not repeated in future.