DTC tightens 'screws' on errant staff

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">NEW DELHI: Shortly after <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">sarkaari</span> babus were told to get a taste of the <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">sarkaari</span> <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">gaadi</span> so that the drivers could be used for bus operation, the DTC has gone in for a further tightening of strings.<br /><br />DTC chairman Rajiv Talwar said employees can no longer consider leave without pay as a right."Also there would be no holidays without work. Many staffers were working for two days in a week but taking back the salary of five days after working overtime. This will no longer be allowed," Talwar said.<br /><br />The corporation has also decided to present the government with a bill every month. If the government decides the bus fares and subsidy to passes, then it should foot the bill as well, Talwar said.<br /><br /></div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal">The measures will help DTC tide over the Rs 200 crore annual deficit.<br /><br />As of now, the DTC incurs a loss of almost Rs 1 crore on passes of which student passes alone account for Rs 70 lakh. The rates of passes in this case haven''t been revised for 40 years — student passes still cost Rs 12.50!<br /><br />DTC sources said a move to retire staffers who were non-productive and beyond a certain age was also being considered.<br /><br />"It is going to be a carrot and stick policy. There is a proposal to invite employee suggestions for the betterment of the organisation as well," the source said.<br /><br /></div> </div><div class="section3"><div class="Normal">DTC has a huge army of drivers, conductors and mechanics — comprising a total of 30,000 employees which run about 2,500 buses. <br /><br />That comes to a humungous 12 employees per bus.<br /><br />But the huge work force hasn''t improved DTC''s performance. It''s buses still make 30% less rounds than private buses.</div> </div>