PCC chief and transport minister Botsa Satyanarayana said the government would bear the additional burden of Rs. 715 crore that fell on the APSRTC because of the hike in the rice of diesel.
Addressing the function where best drivers who had achieved optimum diesel utilization at the RTC Kala Bhavan in Baghlimgampalli, Botsa said the government prepared a policy to bear the additional burden of the RTC. He said the union government had withdrawn subsidies on the fuel a few days ago and this has resulted in an unbearable burden on the RTC. He called upon the employees of the corporation to work harder and ensure that the corporation overcame the financial problems. He said drivers who had not received fuel efficiency awards should strive to get the awards by the next fuel efficiency meeting, even if he were to be the minister or not.
RTC chairman M Satyanarayana Rao praised the corporation’s staff for the excellent work they were doing. He said A K Khan assumed charge as MD of the corporation at the right time and was trying to sail the corporation through its financial difficulties. He said fuel efficiency was very important for overcoming the financial problems.
AK Khan said the corporation was facing acute fuel shortage. He said while 30 percent of fuel was internally acquired, 70 percent was being imported. He said because of the sudden hike in the diesel price, an unbearable burden was thrown on the corporation, he said. He implored upon the workers that they should all be united in surmounting the financial losses. He said it was laudable that RTC got awards for safety and austerity. He gave away awards to best drivers. (NSS)