APSRTC announces 19% interim relief 

Vijayawada/Srikakulam: The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has announced 19 per cent interim relief (IR) to its 54,500 employees working in the state.

Transport Minister K Atchannaidu on Sunday announced in Srikakulam that the government would implement 19 percent interim relief to its employees. He said that in spite of losses suffered by the RTC, the corporation had announced IR and it has to bear the burden of Rs 249 crore every year. He said the RTC is slowly reducing losses by improving efficiency.

In Vijayawada, APSRTC chairman Varla Ramaiah told reporters that the corporation is one of the best organisations in the country with excellent bus services and hardworking staff. He said the RTC already had loans of Rs 3900 crore and has been trying to reduce the losses.

He said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had discussed the issue with Transport Minister K Achchennaidu, RTC Managing Director N Surendra Babu, recognized employees’ union National Mazdoor Union leaders and agreed to release IR.

He said the RTC had already appointed the Pay Revision Commission, but it will take time to give its report. He reminded that the Telangana state RTC has announced only 16 per cent IR to the staff. He said Rs 7 per litre rise in the price of diesel has become a major burden on the RTC as it has to spend Rs 241 crore extra every year. ‘Now, the RTC has to bear extra burden of Rs 249 crore with the announcement of IR, he added.

Ramaiah has ruled out the possibility of increasing bus fares. He said the Chief Minister was reluctant to increase the fares and the RTC was trying to find alternative ways to increase income instead of increasing fares. National Mazdoor Union leaders met the chairman and thanked him for announcing IR at his chamber.