PANJIM: Following the nabbing of a Kadamba Transport Corporation driver and conductor at the Kamkole toll plaza, Telangana for smuggling liquor, the Corporation has suspended its Assistant Depot Manager, Porvorim, Andrew Pereira. Although he is not involved in the smuggling, he has been suspended for not informing the KTC MD even three days after the incident.
The incident unfolded two days ago when the Prohibition & Excise Enforcement division of Medak intercepted a Hyderabad-bound bus originating from Goa, at the Kamkole toll plaza. The officials, during a routine vehicle check, and apprehended two individuals –Ulhas Shridhar (52), the driver, and Abasaheb (51), his aide, and confiscated 70 bottles of alcohol.
K Raghuram, Assistant Commissioner of the Medak Prohibition & Excise Enforcement division, revealed that the arrested individuals admitted to their intention of selling the seized liquor in Telangana at inflated prices. The confiscated alcohol, consisting of various brands, was discovered on the bus owned by Kadamba.
The suspension of Assistant Depot Manager Andrew Pereira is part of the corporation’s efforts to address any lapses in compliance and ensure accountability.
KTC Chairman and Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuenkar informed that KTC staff has been sent to Telangana since the Excise Dept of that State has asked for payment of Rs 1 lakh to release the KTC bus. The issued has reached the court in Telengana and KTC has hired an advocate to deal with the matter.
“This has happened because the same driver and conductor operate on one route for years. They develop contacts and carry out such activities. From now on I have directed the MD to rotate the drivers and conductors on the routes every month,” Tuenkar said.
When asked if the buses were not inspected before they leave the depot and whether KTC inspection have not be assigned the responsibility of inspecting the buses, Tuenkar said, inspectors are assigned the task of inspecting the buses, but this was not being done. “We come to know of such activities only after the incident, Tuenkar admitted.
“Now onwards there will be strict enforcement. KTC inspectors have been warned to check the outstation buses on a daily basis. The KTC MD has been told to call a meeting to caution the staff and not to repeat such illicit activities, because the name of the government of Goa is getting spoilt,” Tuenkar disclosed.
