Cabinet nod for merger of APSRTC with govt

Amaravathi: Based on the report submitted by Anjaneya Reddy committee on the merger of APSRTC with the state Government, the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet on Wednesday approved it. Now, the entire staff of APSRTC will be recognised as state government employees. A new public transport department will be set up in the state government. Retirement age of RTC will be enhanced to 60 years and the state government will bear Rs3,300-crore financial load of the transport corporation after the merger.

Speaking to the media at the Secretariat here, Mr Perni Venkataramaiah, minister for transportation and I&PR, said that the Chief Minister Mr YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has ordered officials of transport, finance, legal and general administration departments to complete the process of merger of APSRTC with the state government within three months.

“All the facilities and rules applicable to government employees will be applied to RTC employees after the merger in the public transport department. The retirement age of APSRTC employees is increased to 60 years, just like government employees. The government will take over Rs 3,300 crore of financial responsibility through this merger,” said Mr Venkataramaiah.

The State Cabinet has also approved a new sand policy to curb sand mafia. Andhra Pradesh Mining Development Corporation will undertake sand mining and transport. “Government has set up 41 stock points in 13 districts. The government will increase these from 70 to 80 by October. The price of sand at the stock point is Rs 375 per ton and the cost of transport is Rs4.90 per kilometre. The cost of transportation through tractors up to 10km is Rs500. The APMDC is responsible for sand mining with the permission of the farmers in Patta lands. The farmers will be paid Rs.60 per cubic meter by APMDC,” maintained Mr Venkataramaiah.