HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation has initiated measures to close down 15 more depots across the State on the grounds that they were making losses. In the past week six depots have been closed as part of the re-structuring taken up after an experts committee from the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, submitted its report and nine more would follow suit this week.

The employees of these six depots - Utnoor (Adilabad district), Gooty (Anantapur), Dubbaka (Medak), Husnabad (Karimnagar), Pathikonda (Kurnool) and Bheemgal (Nizamabad) were in for a surprise as they were greeted with closed gates. Several activities in some other depots were coming to a grinding halt.

The move has drawn flak from different quarters including political parties and trade unions. Some MLAs and public representatives are continuing to register their protest before the depots, against their closure.

YSR's directive

Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy instructed the RTC officials to ensure that the employees did not lose jobs because of the restructuring process. He also wanted them to see to it that bus services to villages were not disrupted.

The State CPI secretary, K. Narayana said closure of depots in the name of losses was not the answer.

The Government should consult political parties and unions before taking any decision that would affect the larger interests of the workforce and the public, he added.

B. Rama Rao, president, National Federation of Indian Road Transport Workers, said the move was only part of an ongoing process.

General secretary of RTC Employees' Union V. Raja Rammohan Rao felt that at least now, the recognised APSRTC National Mazoor Union should open its eyes to the harsh realities of the management's decision. Depending on the response of both the Government and management, they would chalk out a plan.

The union would not hesitate to call for a State-wide strike, he warned.

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