The vexed question of what ailed the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) engrossed the attention of the Assembly during Question Hour on last week. The KSRTC had issued appointment orders to 9,300 persons when vacancies existed only for 3,800. Such unrealistic actions had, over the years, added to the woes of the public sector undertaking, Transport Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan told the House.
He did not mention the period when the decision was taken nor apportion blame for the problems it subsequently caused to the KSRTC. Explaining during question hour why the KSRTC could not absorb the remaining 8,000 persons on that list, Mr. Radhakrishnan said the issue of reservation in appointment needed to be considered.
Pension
The KSRTC currently employed 38,000 persons. It paid a monthly pension to 35,000 retired staff. The Corporation struggled to meet both ends. It could ill afford to reduce ticket rates against the backdrop of reduced fuel prices, he said countering the Opposition allegation that his reluctance to reduce fare was to aid the operators of 22,000 private buses in the State. He pegged the KSRTC’s aggregate loss at Rs.1,260 crore. The daily earnings amounted to Rs.5.65 crore and needed to urgently increase to at least Rs.7 crore.
KSRTC depots now have monthly turnover targets to meet. The KSRTC has mobilised Rs.1,300 crore for its sustenance and modernisation. A consortium of banks handled the funds. The Corporation owned 420 acres of prime property and assets worth Rs.960 crore.
Courier and parcel services, leasing space to restaurants, banks and ATMs have helped it increase its meagre non-operational income. The KSRTC has closed operations on 1,900 non-profitable routes. It has acquired 2,024 new buses. Bus stands have been improved with better toilets and cloak room facility. Women employees now have exclusive rest rooms. The Opposition held the government responsible for the suicide of 23 KSRTC pensioners. They said it should invest more capital to save the KSRTC and make it resilient again.
