Kochi police background verification for private bus employees remains incomplete
The special drive to issue identity cards to bus crew members has exceeded its original timelines by two months.
The Kochi City police have not yet finished a special drive to conduct background checks and issue identity cards to private bus employees, according to The Hindu.
The initiative was launched following several instances of alleged criminal activity by private bus workers. The Special Branch is currently conducting the verification based on applications submitted to the traffic wing.
An officer involved in the process stated that verification for over 1,500 drivers and conductors has been finished. It is estimated that approximately 2,000 employees work as bus crew in the city.
The officer said that some employees were found to have been booked for minor offences, such as drunk driving. For those with criminal backgrounds, the police will record adverse remarks, though bus operators will ultimately decide on employment.
Police are planning to introduce smart ID cards, but details and whether all verified employees will receive them are yet to be finalised. The police aim to issue the cards by next week.
The project was started by former official Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar. District Police Chief (Kochi City) R. Nishanthini is yet to review the drive.