KFC MD reinstates two sacked employees

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a surprise move, the Kerala Financial Corporation has reinstated two of its employees who were facing grave charges of drunken brawl inside a train and misbehaviour with woman co-passengers. KFC Managing Director K M Nair, in two orders issued on July 1, asked Deputy Technical manager Sudheer T K and Assistant Manager Prasannan Thachoth to join Kozhikode and Kasargod branches respectively. Sudheer and Prasannan were placed under suspension on April 2, this year, after they were named as accused in a case registered by the Railway Protection Force. The case was that both of them misbehaved in an inebriated state inside a sleeper coach of Varaval-Thiruvananthapuram Express on their way from Kanhangad to Kannur. They misbehaved with a woman co-passenger who later lodged the complaint. The orders reinstating them clearly mention that the RPF inquiry into the case is still on. ‘’It is noted that three months have elapsed since he has been suspended from service and the inquiry by RPF may take more time to complete. Presently the Corporation is facing acute shortage of staff. Keeping the delinquent officer under suspension is not essential since the delinquency does not relate to any aspect of our operations. Moreover, their presence in the Corporation will not in any manner affect the inquiry in the case filed by RPF,’’ reads the order issued by K M Nair, who is at present the caretaker MD of the KFC. The MD made it clear that further disciplinary proceedings will be kept in abeyance till such date the court pronounces the verdict. A final decision on the disciplinary proceeding will be taken after reviewing the progress of the court case, says the order. A section of KFC employees is crying foul of the act of the MD who had placed five other employees under suspension in connection with a recent strike. ‘’K M Nair was removed as the MD three weeks ago. He is waiting for an order to go back to his parent organisation. How can a caretaker MD issue such an important order?,’’ asked an employee on condition of anonymity. They also point out a Vigilance inquiry conducted by KFC Vigilance Officer DySP M G Haridas. After taking the statement of RPF officials, chief guard and ticket examiners, Haridas recommended disciplinary action against Sudheer and Prasannan. ‘’Their action caused loss of dignity and discredit to the organisation in public and violation of section 25, 26 and 27A of KFC staff regulation. Disciplinary action may be initiated against them,’’ suggested Haridas in his report.  Despite this strong Vigilance report, the KFC MD has reinstated the both after revoking their suspension.