The state road transport corporation will soon withdraw 868 buses that have crossed 13-14 years in service. They will be replaced by 1,500 new buses.
Transport minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan disclosed this while responding to the high court observations on the corporation the other day. He said he would leave it to the public to debate if it was wise to close down loss-making public sector institutions.
“It is not entirely true that transport corporation is bleeding the exchequer. It contributes Rs 209 crore as sales tax and vehicle tax. The motor vehicles department, on the other hand, collects Rs 2,100 crore/year. KSRTC is facing a crisis due to concessions, amounting to Rs 1,616 crore..”
He said the corporation would take up the responsibility of finding Rs 240 crore for pensions if the government allotted Rs 240 crore towards it.”
Source: Times of India
