Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Road Transport Employees' Union (KSRTEA) on Saturday lashed out at Transport Minister Antony Raju for failing to resolve the current crisis that has engulfed KSRTC, the state-owned public transport corporation.
The Union, part of the Centre of Trade Unions (CITU), has threatened extreme steps including the boycott of duties if salaries are not paid immediately.
It has also demanded the reinstation of employees who were previously part of KSRTC's empanel system.
The Union urged Raju to not forget the role the organisation played to see him become the minister. "The minister must not forget the promises he has made," KSRTEA state secretary Shanthakumar said.
The Union has also locked horns with KSRTC Chairman and Managing Director Biju Prabhakar, demanding that he resign if he can't find a resolution.
Though the Kerala government sanctioned Rs 30 crore to KSRTC for disbursing salaries, the Corporation maintains that it has not received it.
In any case, Rs 30 crore won't even cover half of the amount needed.
The Union estimates that at least Rs 82 crore is needed to meet employees' salaries.
Where talks have failed, the Employees' Union has decided to intensify protests.
Now, both the Transport Democratic Federation (TDF) and the CITU have called for a strike.
While TDF's strike is slated to fall on May 6, CITU's indefinite strike will begin on April 28.
Earlier, Transport Minister Antony Raju had said that a strike would mean even less money for the debt-ridden KSRTC.
Though the state-owned public transport corporation earned Rs 152 crore in revenue, soaring fuel prices meant that Rs 25 crore was spent on fuel.
This is what further compounded the current situation, the minister had pointed out. Banks are also sapping nearly Rs 1 crore a day from KSRTC over previous arrears.
In response to the unfolding crisis, the Kerala government has also decided to hike bus fares. The development came in view of rising fuel prices in the country.
The minimum charge for bus fares has been hiked from Rs 8 to Rs 10 (for 2.5 km), whereas Re 1 will be charged for every additional kilometre instead of the previous 90 paise.
The new rates will be effective from May 1, 2022.
