<p>Sky seems to be the limit for the ingenious ways that the corrupt adopt in lining their pockets. <br /><br /></p>.<p>There have been cases of siphoning off diesel meant to run KSRTC buses and embezzling ticket money. But this one, perhaps, is an innovative way of milching the State-run corporation dry. <br /><br />A complaint filed with the Lokayukta police by the Committee for Human Rights and Eradicating Corruption, a local NGO, alleges that a few employees of the Corporation here replace the chassis number and registration number of buses that have run fewer kilometres with those of older vehicles.<br /><br />This way, they can auction off the newer buses and make money. The Corporation, as a result, suffers losses running into lakhs of rupees. KSRTC rules stipulate that buses which have run 8.5 lakh km should be taken off the roads. <br /><br />But, some staffers of KSRTC, who are in cahoots with scrap dealers, sell off buses that are in good condition and have run fewer kilometres.<br /><br />The chassis number and registration number of buses that have run 4 lakh to 4.5 km are overwritten, so that they bear the numbers belonging to buses that have clocked 8.5 lakh km. It is said that a few officers of the Corporation benefit financially from the scrap dealers.<br /> <br />The complaint submitted to the Lokayukta police lists 24 buses whose numbers have been tampered with and sold off.<br /><br />The irregularity also means that while commuters continue to travel by rickety vehicles that break down once too often, the not-so-old ones get broken down for disposal at the scrap market. <br /><br />In fact, the Transport department recently refused to give fitness certificates to six such buses that are still on the roads. M G Ramesh, president of the committee, told reporters that they have records pertaining to manipulation of 24 buses. But, according to an estimate, the number of buses sold off could be as high as 50. <br /><br />However, S R Kalyan Kumar, divisional controller of KSRTC, refuted the allegations made by the committee. <br /><br />He told reporters that it is only a month since he took charge and that he was surprised by the allegations. Kumar said he had apprised his higher-ups about the matter. Two officials from the technical wing of the central office of KSRTC had visited Hassan for a status check, Kumar said.<br /><br />He said buses that run even seven lakh km on bad roads develop problems and they are disposed of after bringing the matter to the notice of the central office. Kumar also denied that fitness certificates had not been given for a few buses. <br /><br /></p>
<p>Sky seems to be the limit for the ingenious ways that the corrupt adopt in lining their pockets. <br /><br /></p>.<p>There have been cases of siphoning off diesel meant to run KSRTC buses and embezzling ticket money. But this one, perhaps, is an innovative way of milching the State-run corporation dry. <br /><br />A complaint filed with the Lokayukta police by the Committee for Human Rights and Eradicating Corruption, a local NGO, alleges that a few employees of the Corporation here replace the chassis number and registration number of buses that have run fewer kilometres with those of older vehicles.<br /><br />This way, they can auction off the newer buses and make money. The Corporation, as a result, suffers losses running into lakhs of rupees. KSRTC rules stipulate that buses which have run 8.5 lakh km should be taken off the roads. <br /><br />But, some staffers of KSRTC, who are in cahoots with scrap dealers, sell off buses that are in good condition and have run fewer kilometres.<br /><br />The chassis number and registration number of buses that have run 4 lakh to 4.5 km are overwritten, so that they bear the numbers belonging to buses that have clocked 8.5 lakh km. It is said that a few officers of the Corporation benefit financially from the scrap dealers.<br /> <br />The complaint submitted to the Lokayukta police lists 24 buses whose numbers have been tampered with and sold off.<br /><br />The irregularity also means that while commuters continue to travel by rickety vehicles that break down once too often, the not-so-old ones get broken down for disposal at the scrap market. <br /><br />In fact, the Transport department recently refused to give fitness certificates to six such buses that are still on the roads. M G Ramesh, president of the committee, told reporters that they have records pertaining to manipulation of 24 buses. But, according to an estimate, the number of buses sold off could be as high as 50. <br /><br />However, S R Kalyan Kumar, divisional controller of KSRTC, refuted the allegations made by the committee. <br /><br />He told reporters that it is only a month since he took charge and that he was surprised by the allegations. Kumar said he had apprised his higher-ups about the matter. Two officials from the technical wing of the central office of KSRTC had visited Hassan for a status check, Kumar said.<br /><br />He said buses that run even seven lakh km on bad roads develop problems and they are disposed of after bringing the matter to the notice of the central office. Kumar also denied that fitness certificates had not been given for a few buses. <br /><br /></p>
