Three ASTC officials suspended

From a Correspondent

SIVASAGAR, Sept 6: Nine on-road buses on the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) under the operatiol control of Divisiol Office, ASTC, Sivasagar went off-road due to filling up of the fuel tanks with High Speed Diesel (HSD) mixed with higher water content from the consumer pump owned by ASTC, Sivasagar. This incident led to breakdown of a large number of buses, said official sources.

This incident was the result of gross negligence on the part of the magement staff of ASTC, Sivasagar division. On query it was found that Debeswar Bharali, Assistant Station Superintendent, ASTC Sivasagar Station, is the overall in-charge of the consumer pump and it was his responsibility to ensure proper functioning of the pump so that such incidents do not take place. Also, Divisiol Superintendent Madhab Bharali was absent from his headquarter, Sivasagar without prior permission and Md. Imanul Hussain, Assistant Engineer-cum-in-charge Division Engineer, ASTC Sivasagar Division, also availed casual leave without prior permission.

DP Goswami, Adviser (HR) to the Maging Director, ASTC, has been asked to probe the incident and submit the report within 30 days. Meanwhile, Debeswar Bharali, Madhab Bharali and Md. Imanul Hussain have been placed under suspension, added official sources.