Depot cashiers 'surcharge' irk conductors

Chaminda PERERA

Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLCTB) depot cashiers impose an unusual 'surcharge' on conductors when they come to their offices to hand over the daily collection, sources said.

These cashiers demand a gratification of Rs 10 to 15 from every conductor when taking over the daily collection.

Depot managements are aware of this though the SLCTB Chairman and Ministry officials are totally in dark about this malpractice.

The cashiers daily income exceed Rs 1,000 and conductors have no option than resorting to illegal means to cover up this amount. The cashiers earn Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 in addition to their monthly salary, the sources said. Transport Minister Kumara Welgama told the Daily News that he has received no such complaints from the public or SLCTB conductors.