Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Transport Minister C P John on Sunday warned of strict disciplinary action against KSRTC employees found misusing the state's free bus travel scheme for women by issuing "zero tickets" to male passengers.

Responding to recent reports that some conductors had allegedly issued zero-value tickets meant for women beneficiaries to male passengers, the minister said such malpractice would not be tolerated.

Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) last month introduced a free travel scheme for women in ordinary category buses.

"A few days were given initially to correct mistakes as the scheme was new. From now on, there will be no leniency. Anyone found indulging in such malpractice will face immediate suspension, followed by dismissal if necessary," he said.

Describing the Priyadarshini free travel scheme as a women's empowerment initiative rather than a KSRTC scheme, John said any attempt to sabotage it would invite strict action.

"This is not KSRTC's scheme; it is a women's empowerment scheme. If anyone tries to undermine it, strict action will be taken," he said.

The minister, however, praised the vast majority of KSRTC employees for implementing the scheme effectively.

"More than 99 per cent of the employees are cooperating sincerely. There is an 80 per cent rise in the number of women passengers, and the scheme is functioning successfully because employees are treating them with respect. Only a very small section is involved in such irregularities," he said.

On complaints of overcrowding on buses following the introduction of the scheme, John said the heavy rush was expected in the initial phase.

"We do not have a social atmosphere where we can simply refuse passengers from boarding. At present, our foremost responsibility is to transport people safely. Drivers and conductors have been instructed to operate services carefully," he said.

Responding to questions on the government's decision to invite private buses on lease for KSRTC services during the Onam and Sabarimala seasons, the minister said the move was necessitated by a shortage of buses.

He said KSRTC had not purchased enough new buses over the past decade and many existing buses had become old, making it difficult to meet the sharp increase in passenger demand during festival seasons.

"During Onam, many people travelling to Kerala are forced to pay two or three times the normal fare charged by private operators. We wanted to deploy more good-quality, preferably air-conditioned buses, but there are not enough buses readily available," he said.

John appealed to private bus owners to lease buses to KSRTC, assuring them that the entire daily ticket collection would be given to them.

"There is no need to worry about payments. KSRTC is now financially stable. We are also looking for similar arrangements during the Sabarimala season to meet the heavy rush of pilgrims," he said.

Rejecting criticism that leasing buses was a step towards privatisation of KSRTC, the minister dismissed the allegation, saying the measure was aimed solely at addressing the shortage of buses during peak travel seasons.

Commenting on recent political developments, John said the nationwide protests over the alleged NEET examination leak, led initially by youth groups and later supported by opposition parties, had weakened the BJP's political dominance.

He also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the alleged irregularities in the Ayodhya Ram temple project, saying the PM should answer questions on the issue after having personally associated himself with the temple's consecration ceremony.