The Hindu : Strikes cost KSRTC dear: Minister

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Strikes cost KSRTC dear: Minister

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, FEB. 3 . The Transport Minister, R. Balakrishna Pillai, said here today, that the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) had lost Rs. 40 crores because of 13 hartals in the month of November alone.

Replying to questions at a press conference, Mr. Pillai said that despite all odds, the KSRTC had registered a record monthly collection of Rs. 60.05 crores in January, averaging Rs.2 crores daily. He said that the public utility's finances were in a bad shape owing to the lack of budgetary support this year. It had recorded a cash deficit of Rs. 562 crores. A sum of Rs. 82 crores, earmarked for purchasing new buses, had been diverted for salary payment by the previous Government.

Mr. Pillai said the average daily collection was Rs. 1.30 crores when the United Democratic Front (UDF) came to power. The KSRTC had repaid debts worth Rs. 352 crores, and another Rs.200 crores was outstanding. He claimed that the earning per km (EPKM) had gone up to Rs. 17 per km. Thanks to the induction of new buses, the average age of the buses had come down, making way for better fuel efficiency and 100 per cent fleet utilisation. Cancellation of services was virtually non-existent. The KSRTC has been able to save Rs. 16 crores through the purchase of new super class buses, which facilitated comfortable travel and attracted more passengers, he said.

The Minister attributed the quality of buses and the Sabarimala festival season for the increase in daily collection.

He said that the KSRTC had fitted speed governors in more than 250 buses and the new ones were being fitted with the gadget before being put on the road. The other commitments of the KSRTC included Rs. 35 crores to Indian Oil Corporation, Rs. 12 crores for LIC and Rs. 200 crores in employee benefits. He said that the Government proposed to implement a welfare scheme for commuters using KSRTC.

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