Rs ten crore modernisation programme for KSRTC proposed

Thiruvananthapuram, June 28: Kerala Transport Minister Mathew T Thomas told the State Assembly today that a Rs ten crore project for the medernisation of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) would be implemented for which necessary finance would be made available to it.

Replying to a submission by Mr K K Divakaran (CPI-M), he said the recent hike in diesel price had put an additional burden of Rs 2.11 crore a month on the Corporation, which owed Rs 141 crore to oil companies in the purchase of fuel.

Mr Thomas said the KSRTC had an accumulated loss of Rs 1,500 crore as on March 31, 2006.

Replying to another submission by Mr K Ajith (CPI), Revenue Minister K P Rajendran said special squads had been constituted under Tahsildars to check illegal sandmining from rivers and from land.

Replying to another submission by Mr Saju Paul (CPI-M), Labour Minister P K Gurudasan said exploitation of labourers from other states would not be allowed. The governmnet would ensure minimum wages to these labourers also and action would be taken against those violating laws in this regard.

UNI