Notice to bus driver, conductor could have been better worded: HRTC MD

As a damage-control measure, the state government today admitted that the language in the show-cause notice issued to the driver and the conductor of a Himachal Roadways Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus for allowing the playing of an audio against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi could have been better worded.

As the incident went viral on social media, HRTC Managing Director Rohan Thakur tried to control damage and issued a clarification over it. “Though the normal procedure of issuing a show-cause notice was followed before closing the inquiry, I do admit it was a bonafide mistake and the letter could have been better worded,” said Thakur while talking to mediapersons here.

He said that a fact-finding inquiry was conducted on the receipt of a complaint. “The allegations were found to be baseless and the complaint was closed,” he added. A show-cause notice was issued to the driver and the conductor of the bus following the receipt of a complaint from a passenger.

Thakur said, “A commuter had submitted the complaint in our local Dhalli unit. Since about five lakh people travel in HRTC buses everyday, we keep getting various complaints.” He added that the official, who had issued the show-cause notice, should have been more careful while writing the letter.

He said that all employees, including him, need to be very careful and not casual in his or her functioning. “Nobody is perfect and there is always scope for improvement. A mistake has been committed and we all admit that the show-cause notice should have been dealt with in a more responsible manner,” he added.