Chip in for RTC projects, mantri prods lawmakers
A part of CDF grant sought for completion of the projects taken up by the TSRTC to provide basic amenities in bus stations
Hyderabad: State Transport Minister Puvvada Ajay Kumar appealed to the MLAs and MLCs to contribute by providing matching grants from their Constituency Development Funds (CDFs) for completion of the projects taken up by the TSRTC to provide basic amenities in bus stations.
Responding to a question raised in the State Legislative Council here on Thursday, he said that the TSRTC could generate Rs 11 crore revenue per day and it is able to pay salaries to its staff without asking from the State government.
Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao wanted to turn the RTC into a profitable entity at the same time equally giving importance to the welfare of the workers.
The State government has earmarked Rs 1,000 crore for the RTC in the budget proposals. Besides, it has given counter-guarantee to raise a loan of Rs 600 crore to clear the PF and CCS.
It was against this background that the RTC is not in a position to entirely focus on investing in the capital works.
Hence, he asked the MLAs, MLCs to extend their cooperation by giving matching grants to the development works like construction of bus stations, toilets and for other basic amenities at the bus stations.
The minister said that steps have been taken for completion of the new bus station under construction at Khammam.
To strengthen the TSRTC, he said a plan of action has been worked out to generate non-ticket revenues. Ajay Kumar said the bus fares were marginally increased after a gap of three years.
As part of generating non-ticket revenues pre-launching works have been initiated to commence the TSRTC Cargo and Parcel Transport Service (CPTS).
