Now, CTU drivers, conductors can’t work overtime

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 4

With an aim to reduce accidents and cut down on expenditure, the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) has reviewed its policy on overtime.

Now, an arrangement has been made in a way that drivers and conductors will not be able to work overtime. It will be allowed only in extreme cases.

The CTU is presently paying over Rs 15 crore to drivers and conductors annually in lieu of overtime.

Under the revised policy, it has been decided to fill all the vacant posts of drivers and conductors.

Besides, it has been decided to call back all those drivers and conductors who are doing clerical jobs, citing medical reasons.

The CTU has ordered such employees to go through fresh medical test. Those found medically fit will be deployed on CTU buses. An official of the undertaking said the overtime put extra pressure on drivers and could cause accident.

Under the law, all employees should get proper rest and weekly off, as it is beneficial for them as well as passengers’ safety.

Sources said the CTU had recently launched new buses for long routes.

The expenditure on overtime was increasingly putting an extra burden on the undertaking.

The CTU is operating 128 interstate buses on 51 routes in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and the National Capital Delhi.

The department aims to replace its old fleet of ordinary buses with 120 HVAC buses in three phases.