Decision on RTC strike only after High Court verdict: CM KCR

Hyderabad: The Telangana State government has discussed at length and in depth about the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation issue and what decision it should take in the present context.

It was also decided to study in detail the present TSRTC's financial position, Court decisions and the cases still pending in the court and other related issues. The state government is of the firm opinion that it should provide a permanent solution to the RTC problems with an aim to provide a better transportation facilities to the people based on the facts as existed on the ground, according to a press release issued by the Chief Minster's Office late on Thursday night.

Under the chairmanship of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, a high level discussion took place on the RTC related issues at Pragati Bhavan here on Thursday. Transport Minister Puvvada Ajay Kumar, Government's Chief Advisor Rajiv Sharma, Chief Secretary SK Joshi, Senior officials S Narsing Rao, Sunil Sharma, Ramakrishna Rao, Sandeep Sultania, Law Secretary Santosh Reddy, AG Prasad, Additional AG Ramchander Rao, RTC EDs Venkateswar Rao, Yadagiri and others participated.

The TSRTC as on date has debts over Rs 5,000 Crore. It has about Rs 2,000 Crore debts and dues to be paid immediately. As per the provident Fund officials' instructions, to pay the September full salaries to the employees, Rs 240 Crore is required. CCS to be paid is Rs 500 Crore. Diesel dues are also to be paid. Transport Tax dues are pending for the last two years.

New buses should be purchased to replace with the 2,600 old buses. PF dues to the tune of Rs 65-70 Crore are to be paid every month. In total, to run TSRTC as on date, Rs 640 Crore is needed per month. Who will bear this financial burden? The TSRTC has no financial strength to incur this expenditure. Due to economic slow down, the state government is also not in a position bear this financial burden.

Even if the government extends some financial support, how long it can support? The only option left for the TSRTC is to hike the bus charges. If we increase the fare hike people will may not be able to use the bus transport. Keeping all this into consideration, the meeting felt that the TSRTC cannot be run status quo ante.

Moreover, the High Court is expected to give its verdict on the privatization of the RTC routes on Friday. The State government has decided to take a final decision after the High Court verdict and after taking into consideration all the related issues.