Telangana Congress govt put RTC on path of revival, says Ponnam
Hyderabad: Transport minister
Ponnam Prabhakar
on Sunday said the Congress govt has put the
Telangana State Road Transport Corporation
(TGSRTC) on the path of revival after it was on the verge of closure.
Addressing the general body meeting of the Telangana RTC Retired Officers Welfare Association, the minister took potshots at the previous BRS govt for neglecting the corporation. "The previous BRS govt neither recruited employees nor purchased new buses. The Congress govt will soon fill over 3,000 posts in the corporation and has decided to purchase new buses. We are expanding the RTC and working with the welfare of RTC employees and passenger comfort in mind. We are giving top priority to these issues," he said. RTC MD Sajjanar and retired employees also participated in the meeting.
Responding to the request for pensions for RTC employees, the minister said pensions had never been provided to RTC employees since the corporation's inception. "Though there are financial difficulties, the govt is committed to solving all the issues of the employees. We will look into this demand," he further said.
The minister said the Congress govt reduced the provident fund dues of employees from Rs 1,373 crore to Rs 580 crore, and employees' credit society dues from Rs 682 crore to Rs 450 crore. "The govt is doing everything possible to strengthen the RTC. The introduction of free bus travel for women has increased RTC's revenue, as men and children also travel along with them. The govt is regularly reimbursing the free bus travel amount to RTC, and retirement benefits are being given on the day of superannuation itself," he said.
"Let us together protect the RTC. The govt is ready to provide Rs 300 crore every month to the RTC. The chief minister and deputy chief minister are positive about the corporation's development. We have made appointments on compassionate grounds and are making new appointments. I will take your suggestions to the notice of the chief minister. But let's work together to make Telangana RTC number one in the country. Don't embarrass the corporation by getting involved in politically motivated issues," Ponnam told officials.
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