Mah Govt to chalk out plans for MSRTC's revival: Deshmukh

Mumbai, Aug 1 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today promised to come out with a policy decision to revive the flagging fortunes of the sick State-owned public transport service Maharashtra Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) and legalising private transport with an attempt to generate employment among the educated youth.

Replying to a calling attention notice in the Legislative Assembly, Mr Deshmukh said district-wise committees, comprising District Collector, RTO official, police and division controller of MSRTC will be constituted in all the districts to conduct a survey on the routes, where the MSRTC buses do not reach or their frequency is very less.

''The private jeeps, which ply in large numbers in rural areas, could be utilised on these routes. Hence, the MSRTC would also survive and the private transport will also be a means for employment for the unemployed rural youth. The policy to this effect would be announced after the committees submit their survey findings to the government,'' Mr Deshmukh added.

Earlier, the Chief Minister said the jeeps which have been given licence for public transport, will be allowed to take passengers upto the seating capacity decided by the vehicle manufacturers and not by the RTO.

Sudhakar Paricharak (NCP) said the decision will have a negative impact on the survival of the MSRTC, which has been making losses.

Girish Bapat (BJP) said the Chief Minister should give details of how the government proposes to ensure that the decision to allow more passengers in the private vehicles does not harm the MSRTC.

Pratap Jadhav (Shiv Sena) said the MSRTC needs to introspect why people were avoiding its fleet of buses and preferred to travel in private vehicles.

Mr Deshmukh requested the members to take up the issue of reviving MSRTC separately.

The House had to be adjourned once for 15 minutes, when Speaker Babasaheb Kupekar disallowed some members from either sides to air their views on the issue.

UNI