The KSRTC Staff and Workers’ Federation, the recognised trade union of workers of road transport corporations in the State, on Sunday alleged that a few Ministers were behind the private bus operators’ lobby blocking issue of permits to KSRTC to operate city services in Mangaluru.
Federation General Secretary H.V. Ananthasubba Rao told The Hindu that the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) should have granted permits to the KSRTC.
It is unfortunate that government officials succumbed to pressure by private operators and politicians, Mr. Rao said.
The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) should have given preference to KSRTC as it is a State-run corporation and discharges several social obligations, unlike private bus operators, he reminded.
He was also critical about the role played by Transport Minister and KSRTC Chairman Ramalinga Reddy and the corporation itself. The Minister has failed to safeguard the interests of the Corporation, he said.
On the other hand, the KSRTC management too failed to make matching efforts to counter the private bus operators’ lobby. There is hardly any commitment to be seen on the part of the top management of the corporation, Mr. Rao regretted.
