For a minute, onlookers would have mistaken a meet of KSRTC officials at the Guest House in Ernakulam for some advocate’s function, as a majority of those present there were lawyers!
The meeting was convened by transport minister Aryadan Mohammed to reactivate the system of standing counsel for the corporation.
The initiative came just days after the management found itself at the receiving end of yet another legal battle – one by temporary employees against denial of promotion.
“The meet was attended by counsels representing the corporation right from high court to district courts.
The aim was to discuss the day-to-day functioning and strengthen the co-ordination between the officials and the lawyers,” the minister said.
According to a KSRTC official, its counsels “failed in adequately presenting the case in court. The same argument by the temporary staff had been dismissed by the court thrice earlier, and they have even moved the apex court,” he said.
“The latest court order may cost the corporation several crore as it asks the management to consider the initial appointment of the 100-odd temporary employees for determining seniority. The direction may lead to KSRTC paying hefty sums in terms of retrospective pay up,” he said.
On an average, the KSRTC faces up to 800 cases a year and most of them are compensation disputes.