RTC will not be privatised; CM, ministers working to strengthen PSUs

Hyderabad: The State government said that it is committed to protecting the TSRTC and Singareni Collieries Company (SCCL) by providing employment and livelihood to about two lakh people in Telangana. “The State government has taken the responsibility to protect these PSUs,” said deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu.

The deputy CM, along with ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy inaugurated the new electric buses near Ambedkar Statue, Tank Bund, here on Tuesday. He also distributed bonds to RTC employees and workers.

RTC, which provides transport facilities to lakhs, is a jewel of the State, he said and asserted that the RTC will not be privatised nor its assets will be sold.

‘RTC on way to making profits due to Congress’

Speaking on the occasion, Bhatti said that the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation is the State’s pride and should grow and flourish as one of the best public sector units in the country. It is a matter of pride that RTC, which was steeped in losses, is now taking steps under the Indiramma Rajyam of Congress government to emerge as a profitable corporation, he said.

“Under the previous BRS government, RTC employees were struggling to get salaries. As the previous government failed to release funds, the corporation faced severe hardships. Employees were worried and lived in fear under the BRS as the government was keen on privatising RTC and selling off its valuable assets,” Bhatti Vikramarka said.

Bhatti recalled how the KCR-led government had tried to crush the agitation by RTC employees when they tried to protect the corporation and ‘stopped them from expressing their views.’

However, after the Congress party came to power in the State, the government brought new enthusiasm and spirit to the organisation within 90 days by introducing new buses. Recently over 100 new buses were added to the RTC fleet, he said.

Plans to strengthen PSUs in Telangana

Both RTC and Singareni corporations were providing employment and livelihood to over two lakh people in Telangana. While 45,000 employees were working in SCCL, another 44,000 employees were working in the TSRTC. “Thus, the State government has taken it up as its responsibility to protect both the PSUs,” he said.

The Deputy CM said that the government is working with the target of bringing RTC onto the path of profits. The State government would give confidence to every RTC employee that his or her future would be secure, he said.

“Everyone in the State Cabinet, right from the chief minister, is striving with dedication to strengthen the PSUs in the State. The State government had taken steps to release funds due to the RTC and pending allowances to the employees. There would not be greater happiness for the State government if every citizen felt RTC belonged to them and it was set up for their commuting needs. The State government is paying every paisa on behalf of women who are availing the free transport facility in the RTC buses,” the finance minister said.

Impact of Mahalakshmi scheme

Thanks to the free RTC bus transport facility to women, temples, vegetable markets and other commercial establishments are drawing good crowds with lakhs of women feeling encouraged to step out and travel, the minister said.

Appreciating transport minister Ponnam Prabhakar for planning and strategizing plans to make RTC into a profitable organisation, he said the transport minister is utilising every opportunity for the development of RTC and make its employees proud of their organisation.

Emphasising the importance of good roads, Bhatti said that R&B minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy deserved special thanks for his initiative to bring Rs 850 crores from the Centre for the development of roads in the State.

Referring to the six guarantees promised to people by the Congress Party during the election campaign, Bhatti said the implementation of the six guarantees was proof of the Congress government’s integrity.

“With every minister working with a systematic plan and with dedication, the State government could implement six guarantees within three months. The previous BRS government which had promised to give double bedroom houses, jobs to every household, three acres of land to every Dalit family and several other promises forgot about its promises even after being in power for 10 years. The Congress government would spend every rupee from the State revenue for the benefit of the public,” he said.