Communists want APSRTC to be strengthened

Hyderabad, Aug 31 (UNI) CPI(M) floor leader Nomula Narasimhaiah today objected to the decision to allot 105 profit-making bus routes over 1,600 km to private parties and alleged the government, which promised to rejuvenate the APSRTC and turn it into a profit-making organisation, was going back on its promise.

In a special mention on the last day of the Monsoon Session of the Assembly today, he said though the government promised to the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the public sector organisation's workers it would not privatise, it was acting to the contrary.

CPI floor leader Chada Venkata Reddy also wanted the government to abide by the agreement reached by the APSRTC management with the JAC. He wanted the government to buy new buses and not renew agreements with private operators that had lapsed.

Responding, Transport Minister Kanna Lakshminarayanna said those who had ruined the financial health of the APSRTC were not being blamed and the Congress government, which was determined to strengthen the public sector organisation was being taken to task.

He said some persons were not happy that the APSRTC was already making profits.

Akbaruddin Owaisi of the All India Majlis Itthadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) said 9,000 acre of Wakf property was either under illegal occupation or were given away to corporate houses by the government.

Urging the government to at least pay compensation to the Wakf Board for these lands, Mr Owaisi said with the amount, the poverty of 90 per cent of Muslims could be banished.

G Kishen Reddy, BJP floor leader wanted the government to officially celebrate Liberation Day on September 17 every year as the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad was liberated on that day.

Though pensions were being paid to those who took part in the liberation movement, the government was not holding the day officially as was being done in Karnataka and Maharashtra.

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