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1
MINUTES OF THE 172ND
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE
ASSAM STATE TRANSPORT CORPORATION HELD ON 06.06.2017 AT 10.30 AM
IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF ASSAM SECRETARIAT, D-BLOCK, 4TH
FLOOR, DISPUR, GUWAHATI-6.
_____
Present –
1. Shri Ashutosh Agnihotri IAS,
Commissioner & Secretary to the Government
of Assam, Transport Department .... Chairman.
2. Shri A. P. Tiwari IPS,
Managing Director, ASTC .... Member-Secretary.
3. Shri Sanat Kalita ACS,
Commissioner & Secretary to the Government
of Assam, Public Enterprises Department .... Member.
4. Commissioner & Special Secretary to the Government
of Assam, Public Works Roads Department
Represented by Shri D.Gogoi, Chief Engineer, ASRD .... Member.
5. Shri Arabinda Barman,
Deputy Secretary to the Government of Assam,
Finance (IF), (Legal Cell) Department .... Member.
6. Shri Dwijen Lahkar,
General Secretary, State Transport Workers’Association .... Member.
At the outset MD welcomed the Members of the Board and stated that he has a
number of issues for this Board meeting to discuss. MD stated that during last 8 months,
ASTC has been able to reduce revenue gap, earning has been increased by Rs.25.00 lakh by
intensifying vigilance, income from PoB share has increased from 10% to 20%, additional
revenue to the tune of Rs.10 crore per year is expected from advertisement and non-traffic
related operation and other new activities. Old practice of manually collecting rent from
Shops / Stalls etc. are being replaced by introducing a Customised software. The whole
process will be automated from generation of demands to online realisation of the rents. The
new process is expected to raise the revenue collection from existing average of Rs. 10 Lakhs
to Rs.60/70 lakh.
State Government has provided fund of Rs.5.00 crore for repair of shut-down buses
through manufacturers. ASTC has already repaired more than 60 buses and pressed into
2
service. But repair work is not up-to expectation due to confusion in implementation of GST.
The dealers are also facing problem in supply of tyres, spare parts etc. Volvo Bus operation
under PPP model is also lagging behind for GST problem. M.D. requested the Board to
consider the agenda items placed before the Board in today’s meeting and take decisions.
Then the Board took up the agenda items for consideration.
Item No. 1 : Confirmation of the Minutes of the 171th
meeting of the Board of Directors
held on 05.12.2016.
The Members of the Board of Directors went through the Minutes of the
171st meeting of the Board of Directors held on 05.12.2016 as placed in the meeting and
confirmed the same.
Item No. 2 : Actions taken on the decisions taken in the l71st meeting of the Board held
on 05.12.2016.
The Board of Directors noted the actions taken report on the decisions of the
previous meeting. While considering the Actions taken report, M.D. stated that ASTC has
about 50 drivers (Contractual), who were engaged as Trainee Drivers during 2003 and they
are paid a fixed remuneration of Rs..8,000/- only per month. Their case deserves
consideration for regular appointment. Similarly some persons were engaged as part time
workers, who are mostly dependents of deceased employees of ASTC, during the period from
1989 to 1997. They are paid Rs.3,000/- to Rs.6,000/- per month and their case also deserves
for regular appointment. Their number is 43. M.D. further stated that both the said categories
are working against vacant posts and suggested that these persons may perhaps be considered
for their regular appointment. The Board of Directors discussed over the matter and also
considered the M.D.’s suggestion and decided that the said persons may be given regular
appointment against vacant posts for which all norms and rules will have to be followed by
the Corporation.
Item No. 3 : Review of Financial Performance.
The financial performance of the Corporation as placed in the meeting was
seen by the Board of Directors.
Item No. 4 : Review of Traffic Performance.
The traffic performance of the Corporation as placed in the meeting was
seen by the Board of Directors.
3
Item No. 5 : Review of Engineering Performance.
The engineering performance of the Corporation as placed in the meeting
was seen by the Board of Directors.
Item No. 6 : Consideration and approval of the Balance Sheet for the financial year
2015-16.
The Board of Directors considered the Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss
Account for the financial year 2015-16 of the Corporation and observed that the Balance
sheet should be first certified by the registered C.A. for acceptance of the same by the Board
for adoption and submission to the A.G. for audit. The Board directed to resubmit the
Balance sheet and Profit and Loss Account for the financial year 2015-16 after getting
certified by a Registered Chartered Accountant for consideration and acceptance.
Item No. 7 : Consideration and approval of Annual Budget for the year 2017-18.
The Board went through the Annual Budget of the Corporation for the
year 2017-2018 and observed that the Budget carries wrong picture and disparity in both
receipts and expenditures. The Board therefore directed to prepare the budget correctly and
resubmit the same in the next meeting of the Board for consideration and approval.
Item No. 8 : Consideration of re-imbursement of medical expenses of contractual
employees in case of accident on duty.
The Board considered the proposal for re-imbursement of medical
expenses of contractual employees in case of accident caused on duty and decided that full
medical expenses will be reimbursed to the contractual employees in case of accident caused
on duty.
Item No. 9 : Medical leave of Contractual employees in case of accident on duty or
serious illness for 60 days.
The Board considered the proposal for granting medical leave to the
contractual employees in case of accident on duty or serious illness and decided that medical
leave will be granted maximum of 30 days for contractual employees in case of accident on
duty or serious illness, which will be granted by M.D. to avoid misuse. If the leave exceeds
30 days then the matter will have to be placed before the Board for consideration.
4
Item No. 10: Special Leave for contractual employees for 30 days.
The Board considered the proposal for granting special leave to the
contractual employees. But the Board was of the view that special leave cannot be granted to
contractual employees normally as per rule and if it is granted it will create precedence. So
the Board did not want to create precedence and however advised M.D. to submit proposal to
the Transport Department for examination and consideration.
Item No. 11 : Creation of Contingency Fund of Rs.10.00 lakh to assist employees in
adverse situation or to meet with any eventuality or any other situation.
The Board considered the proposal for creation of Contingency fund
of Rs.10.00 lakh to assist employees in adverse situation or to meet with any eventuality or
any other situation. The Board appreciated the idea put forwarded in the proposal to assist the
employees in adverse situation. However, the Board advised M.D. to frame guidelines for
this matter and put up to Board for consideration.
Item No. 12 : New Construction Policy.
MD stated that ASTC has vacant land in most of the Stations located
in prime locations throughout the State. ASTC has proposed to construct commercial
complexes in the vacant land by collecting money from the probable customers inviting EOI
for the purpose of outsourcing the same to the customers to generate additional revenue for
the Corporation. The customers will have to deposit registration fee of Rs.50,000/- and
Security Deposit of Rs.2.00 lakh and an advance rent of Rs.50,000/- for the commercial
complex, which will be adjusted against 50% of the rent every month. For this purpose 68
stations have already been selected in the first phase. The commercial complexes will be
designed keeping “Swachh Bharat” in mind. In this year, construction of 68 complexes will
be started and allotment will be given on first come first serve basis. The Board considered
the proposal and approved the same for implementation. The Chairman advised M.D. to
examine the feasibility of development of ASTC Rupnagar complex as revenue generating
centre.
5
Item No. 13 : Pending payments against complete and incomplete Civil Construction
works.
M.D. stated that a number of civil construction projects were
undertaken by ASTC during last five years, out of which some are completed and some are
in incomplete stage. Against these projects payment to the tune of about Rs.26.00 crores is
outstanding, as the sanctioned amount against these projects have been diverted by earlier
M.D., Shri K.N.Chetia for payment of salary. The Board deliberated on the matter and
advised M.D. to take over the completed projects and to approach Finance Department for
fund to complete the incomplete works. Further the Board advised M.D. to ask the
contractors to start the work of the projects which completed 50% of the works and to go for
re-allotment of work for remaining projects which have not been completed even 50% of the
work.
Item No. 14 : Restructuring of ASTC’s Administrative Set up.
The Board deliberated on the proposal for restructuring of ASTC’s
Administrative Set up and was of the view that number of General Managers as proposed,
which is 8 nos., is too high. As per the Board there may be Asst. Managing Director, GM
(HR), GM (Finance), GM (Operation), GM (Business Development), DGM (Law),
DGM(IT), which was approved. The Board was further of the view that the matter will need
further examination and advised M.D. to study the pattern of administrative set up of other
Road Transport Corporations and to put up before the Board for consideration.
Item No. 15 : Association of Private Owned Buses : New Policy.
M.D. stated that some modifications are proposed in the existing
policy of operation of private owned buses under ASTC to attract more private owned buses
to operate under banner of ASTC, which would increase the income of ASTC from private
owned buses.. The modified policy is also placed before the Board for consideration. As per
the modified policy the name of the policy would be “Association of Private Owned Buses”
instead of the Private Owned Buses under ASTC. As per the modified policy the rate of
Registration Fee, Security Deposit and Operation Fee is proposed as below, which will be
revised in the event of revision of bus fare by the Government of Assam –
6
Sl.
No.
Bus/Service Type Fare per
passenger per
KM fixed by
Govt.
Registration
Fee (Rs.)
Security
Deposit (Rs.)
Operating
Fee per KM
Payable to
ASTC.
1 Ordinary Stage
Carriage
Re. 0.79 10,000 10,000 Re. 0.80
2 Long Distance Stage
Carriage, Express
buses with limited
Stoppages
Re. 0.86 10,000 10,000 Re. 1.00
3 Deluxe Super Express,
All Assam Tourist
Omnibus, All India
Omnibus (Night
Service)
Rs.1.06 10,000 10,000 Rs.1.10
4 Executive Class (A/C) Rs.1.23 10,000 10,000 Rs.1.20
5 Mini Bus Re.0.75 5,000 5,000 Re.0.70
The Board of Directors considered the modified policy of operation of
private owned bus in association with ASTC and the proposed rates as above and approved
the same for implementation.
Item No. 16 : Engagement of 3(three) nos. staff in the Residential Office of the
Chairman/Managing Director.
The Board considered the proposal for engagement of following 3(three)
nos. of staff each in the Residential Office of the Chairman and the Managing Director:
1. One Cook.
2. One Sweeper.
3. One Assistant.
The Board was of the view that the said staff need not be provided for the
Chairman, but MD may engage the said staff in his residential office from the existing staff.
Item No. 17 : To consider request of Prag News to provide them 4 number of AC Volvo
Buses for use in their Prag Cine Awards North East from 16th
to 19th
June,
2017 at Kokrajhar to promote ASTC as a Brand and Travel Partner.
The Board considered the matter of providing 4 number of AC Volvo
buses for use by them in their Prag Cine Awards North East from 16th
to 19th
June, 2017 to be
held at Kokrajhar to promote ASTC as a Brand and Travel Partner and approved.
7
Item No. 18 : Delegation of Power of Appointing, Disciplinary and Leave Granting
Authority.
MD placed before the Board the proposal of delegation of power of
Appointing, Disciplinary and Leave Granting Authority of the Corporation as below –
Sl Cadre of Staff Appointing & Disciplinary Authority
1 All Officers of H.O. and Field Officers of Grade-II upwards viz. D.S., D.E., S.E., S.S., A.E., A.E.(Civil), A.E.(Arch), Accounts Officers, A.P.O. etc.
M.D.
2 All Staff of Grade-II of Technical Department viz. Foreman etc
C.E.(A&T)
3 All Staff of Grade-II of Traffic Department viz. A.S.S. etc
D.G.M.
4 All Staff of Grade-II of Accounts Department viz. Divisional Accounts Officers, I.A. etc
Sr. Dy. C.A.O.
5 All Staff of Grade-III of Field Offices viz. U.D.A. & L.D.A. etc
Respective D.S., D.E. & C.O.S.
6 All Ministerial Staff of Grade-III of Head Office viz. U.D.A. & L.D.A. etc
D.G.M.
7 All Technical Staff of Maintenance Centres & Workshops
Respective D.E.
8 All Traffic Staff of Grade-III viz. Conductors & Drivers etc
Respective D.S.
9 All Staff of Grade-IV of Head Office D.G.M.
10 All Staff of Grade-IV of Field Offices Respective D.S., D.E. & C.O.S.
B. Leave Granting Authority
Sl Cadre of Staff Kind of Leave Leave Granting Authority
1 All Officers of H.O. and Field Officers: S.S. & A.E. upwards
C.L., E.L. & Any other Leave
M.D.
2 All Staff of H.O. from IV Gd. To Superintendents Accounts
C.L. Head of the respective Department
All Staff of H.O. from IV Gd. To Superintendents Accounts
E.L. C.P.O.
3. All Field Non-Gazetted Staff
C.L. Respective Controlling Officers viz. S.S., A.E.
4 All Field Non-Gazetted Staff
E.L. including Commuted Leave
Respective D.D.O. viz. D.S., D.E., C.O.S.
5 All Officers & Staff Special Leave M.D.
The Board considered the proposed revised delegation of power of
8
Appointing, Disciplinary and Leave Granting Authority of the Corporation and approved the
same for adoption.
Item No. 19 : Re-organisation of Kamalabari (Majuli) Bus Station of ASTC.
The Board of Directors considered the proposal to transfer the administrative
control of Kamalabari (Majuli) Bus Station of ASTC from Jorhat Division to Majuli Division
and approved the same.
Item No. 20: Infrastructure Development of Kamalabari (Majuli) Bus Station of ASTC.
MD stated that after declaration of Majuli as a district, the importance of
connectivity has also increased. ASTC has proposed to develop the existing Kamalabari
(Majuli) Bus Station of ASTC with bus maintenance facility for providing better public
transport facility to the people of Majuli and for construction of the Bus Station, Government
of Assam has allocated Rs.1.00 crore in the State Budget 2017-18. The Board considered the
matter and approved for early implementation.
Item No. 21 : Creation of new posts of SS & ASS as per requirement.
MD stated that in order to streamline the bus operation up-gradation of the
following stations to that of Assistant Station Superintendent and Station Superintendent is
proposed:
Up-gradation to ASS (29 nos) : Bihpuria, Dholpur, Jonai, Silapathar, Raha, Silghat,
Maibong, Howraghat, Hojai, Samoguri, Dimaruguri, Kaliabor, Hamren, Umrangsu, Teok,
Moriani, Sunpura, Chapakhowa, Jagun, Saikhowa, Chabua, Dibrugarh Flag Station,
Khowang, Sepon, Naharkatia, Demow, Nazira, Gaurisagar, Sivasagar Flag Station.
Up-gradation to Station Superintendent (5 Nos.) : Sonari, Santipur (Sadiya), Doomdooma,
Margherita, Namrup.
Besides the above, it was proposed to create 2(two) more posts of SS for ISBT,
Guwahati and 2(two) more posts of SS for City Service.
The Board considered the proposal for creation of new posts and advised MD
to submit formal proposal for creation of the said posts to the Finance Department for
approval.
9
Item No. 22 : New Promotion Policy.
MD stated that in order to develop HR and to improve quality of service
delivery it is proposed to give promotion on the basis of the following criteria-
ACR and training : 50% marks.
Examination : 50% marks.
The Board considered the said proposal and approved the same for adoption.
Item No. 23 : Minimum qualification of Conductors.
M.D. stated that new technology is being adopted in all spheres of functioning
of ASTC including issuing of ticket by the conductors to passengers. In the new system the
Conductors will have to handle latest electronic gadgets in the process of conducting bus
services, for which good educational standard with certain technical skill is necessary.
Therefore, M.D. proposed minimum qualification for recruitment of conductor as Graduate.
The Board of Directors considered the proposal of M.D. and decided that the minimum
qualification for the post of Conductor will be Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate
passed with computer knowledge and preference will be given to Graduate candidates.
Initially lump sum pay of the Conductor will be Rs.10,000/- per month.
Item No. 24: Recruitment of new Conductors:
M.D. stated that ASTC is facing acute shortage of conductors. Requirement
of conductors is 1770 against existing fleet of 1180 buses @ 1.5 per bus. Currently
ASTC has 336 conductors, who are also in the verge of retirement and incapable of
handling the modern electronic gadgets that are being inducted for e-ticketing in
ASTC. So it is proposed to engage the existing conductors in stations in other works
and to crease 1770 posts of conductors for manning the fleet of 1180 buses. The
Board considered the proposal and decided that recruitment to the vacant posts of
conductor may be made and in case of new posts, a formal proposal is to be submitted
to the Finance Department for approval.
10
Item No. 25 : To consider demand of the State Transport Workers’Association for
implementation of the 7th
Revision of Pay Rules.
The Board of Directors considered the demand of the State Transport
Workers’ Association to extend the benefit of the 7th
Revision of Pay Rules in respect of
ASTC employees. The Board was of the view that Revision of Pay Rules may be adopted by
those corporation which are self-sustainable. The rules applicable to other Corporation will
be applicable to ASTC also for revision of pay. Shri Dwijen Lahkar, General Secretary,
STWA, stated that in case of revision of pay ASTC and ASEB are not taken with other
Corporations and ASTC follows the State Government rules in respect to revision of pay. So
he requested the Board of Directors to revise the pay of the employees of ASTC as per
Government ROP Rules. The Board opined that the Board has no objection in granting
revision of pay to the employees of ASTC had there been no financial problem. Further, for
revision of pay of employees of ASTC and other State Government Public Undertakings,
Circular from Finance Department will be necessary. Moreover, the revision of pay will
create additional financial burden on ASTC and so in that case salary support of the
Government will be required. M.D. was advised to submit a proposal to Finance Department
through Transport Department for providing financial support for 3 (three) years for granting
revised salary to the employees of ASTC.
Item No. 26 : Salary of Contractual Employees.
The Board of Directors considered the proposal for payment of salary to
the Contractual employees as per the Payment of Minimum Wages Act and decided in
principle that the contractual employees may be given consolidated salary not less than that
admissible under the Payment of Minimum Wages Act.
Item No. 27 : Creation of posts of Office Assistants (Contractual).
The Board considered the proposal for creation of posts of Office
Assistants (Contractual) and did not agree to the proposal as it would create additional
liability.
Item No. 28 : Loan from Apex Bank.
MD stated that ASTC immediately requires an amount of Rs.25.00 crore
for implementing several innovative schemes including repair of shut-down buses to ensure
better public transport service and to generate more revenue. MD further stated that during
11
discussion with Hon’ble Minister, Finance, M.D. was advised to take loan from Apex Bank
and for repayment of the loan, Government would provide fund under supplementary budget.
M.D. has proposed to spend the loan money as follows:
1. Repairing of buses .... Rs. 10.00 crore.
2. Implementation of ITMS .... Rs. 6.00 crore.
3. Knowledge Partner and capacity buikling .... Rs. 5.00 crore.
4. Clearing liabilities of Spare parts supplying firms .... Rs. 4.00 crore.
The Board of Directors deliberated upon the matter and accorded
approval for taking loan of Rs.25.00 crore from the Assam Co-operative Apex Bank as
proposed. The Board further advised MD to obtain concurrence of Finance Department for
taking the loan, so that ASTC is not in trouble in repayment of the loan.
Item No. 29 : New Bus Operation Policy on PPP Model.
The Board considered the new Bus Operation Policy on PPP Model as
placed in the meeting and approved the same.
Item No. 30 : Enhancement of Parking Fee for Private buses at ASTC premises
including ISBTs.
MD stated that the Transport Department, Government of Assam
issued an order on 26th
March, 2008 fixing parking/operating fee of Rs.200/- per bus for
private buses operating from ISBT, Guwahati. M.D. stated that a substantial amount is spent
in maintenance of the ISBT including water supply and electricity regularly. On the other
hand the parking fee of Rs.200/- per bus is quite less in comparison to the share money by the
private owned buses operated under ASTC, which is 10% of the collected fare against such
facilities. Therefore, M.D. proposed to enhance the parking of private buses operating from
ISBTs and other stations of ASTC as follows:
Sl. Location Type of buses Current Rate Proposed rate
1 ISBT, Guwahati Big Rs.200.00 Rs.600.00
2 ISBT, Guwahati Small Rs.100.00 Rs.500.00
3 ISBT, Silchar Big Rs.100.00 Rs.600.00
The Board of Directors considered the proposal for enhancement in the
parking fee as above and approved the same.
12
Item No. 31 : Faulty Appointments.
M.D. stated that a total of 614 Drivers-cum-Conductors were engaged in
2015 in Guwahati City Service. There was serious anomaly in engagement of these Drivers-
cum-Conductors in 2015. As many as 341 such Drivers-cum-Conductors are found to have
no knowledge of driving at all. Some of them possess forged driving license and some did not
possess driving license at all. All these drivers have confessed in writing to the effect that
they do not know driving. So M.D. proposed to lodge criminal case against those concerned.
The Board deliberated over the matter and decided that all the 341 Drivers-cum-Conductors
should be removed immediately and criminal case be filed to investigate the matter. Member,
Shri Dwijen Lahkar, General Secretary, STWA, stated that in this issue the Committee who
selected the candidates is responsible and the candidates are not at fault, who are working for
ASTC after their selection and engagement. The Board clarified that all the issues will be
covered during investigation.
Item No. 32 : Irregularities committed in respect of one Shri Khurshid Alam, Ex-Upper
Division Assistant by the former Managing Director, ASTC, allowing Shri
Khurshid Alam to continue his service in the Corporation after acceptance
of resignation from service tendered by the incumbent concerned and
proposed for commissioning inquiry thereof.
M.D. stated that one Shri Khurshid Alam, who was working as Upper
Division Assistant in the Office of the Divisional Superintendent, ASTC, City Service,
Guwahati and was the General Secretary, State Transport Workers’ Association, was issued
an Order by the then Managing Director Shri K.N.Chetia vide No. 899 dated 01.02.2011
accepting the resignation tendered by said Shri Khurshid Alam. Then Shri Alam left his
service to contest in the election to the Assam Legislative Assembly, 2011. But he could not
get ticket for contesting and returned to the Corporation in the month of June, 2011 and
managed to obtain an order in back date vide No. 903 dtd 02.02.2011, i.e. showing issued on
the very next day of acceptance of resignation) cancelling the earlier order of acceptance of
his resignation made vide Order No.899 dtd 01.02.2011 stating the reason that the earlier
order was passed inadvertently. Thus the service of Shri Khushid Alam was regularised for
the period of his absence for 4 months from February, 2011 to May’2011and he was paid
salary for 4(four) months amounting to Rs.89,480.00 (Gross Pay) illegally. The Board of
Directors deliberated over the matter and directed to conduct enquiry into the matter and take
necessary action.
13
Item No. 33 : Providing Access to Guwahati Railway Station from ASTC Multi Level
Parking, Paltanbazar, Guwahati.
The Board considered the matter of providing access to Guwahati Railway
Station from ASTC Multi Level Parking, Paltanbazar, Guwahati and accorded ex-post-facto
approval for the same. The Board advised M.D. to take steps for generating income from the
said system.
Item No. 34 : (1) To consider reimbursement of expenses of medical treatment incurred
by Shri Gadadhar Haloi, Conductor, ASTC, City Service, Guwahati.
(2) To consider payment of loan for medical treatment to Md. Khabir Ali,
Driver (Contractual), ASTC, City Service, Guwahati.
The Board considered the matter of reimbursement of expenses of medical
treatment incurred by Shri Gadadhar Haloi, Conductor, ASTC, City Service, Guwahati and
decided that since Shri Haloi is a cancer patient and he had undergone medical treatment at
Apollo Speciality Hospital, Chennai as referred by the Director of Health Services, Assam,
the reimbursement of the expenses for the said treatment amounting to Rs.2,45,859.00
(Rupees two lakh forty five thousand eight hundred fifty nine) only, which is admissible to
him, may be paid.
The Board further considered the matter of payment of loan to Md. Khabir
Ali, Driver (Contractual), ASTC, City Service, Guwahati, who is a cancer patient and decided
that Md. Khabir Ali may be paid a loan of Rs.60,000/- (Rupees sixty thousand) only as
applied for by him for meeting his medical expenses at Apollo Hospital, Chennai.
Item No. 35 : Policy for appointment on Compassionate Ground.
The Board considered the proposal for appointment on compassionate
ground and decided that appointment on compassionate ground may be made as per norms
and rules of the Government of Assam.
14
Miscellaneous:
At the end of the meeting, Member Shri Sanat Kalita, Commissioner &
Secretary, Public Enterprises Department enquired about action taken in the matter of number
of vehicles of ASTC burnt at Rupnagar, Guwahati and Chaygaon. M.D. stated that both the
matters have been reported to the Police and the cases are under investigation of Police.
The meeting ended with a vote of thanks from the Chair.
Dated Guwahati,
The 6th
June, 2017.
( ASHUTOSH AGNIHOTRI, IAS )
Chairman