Hyderabad: Transport and BC Minister Ponnam Prabhakar has requested Deputy CM M Bhatti Vikramarka to allocate additional budget due to increased occupancy in buses. This is a result of the free bus travel facility for women and the Congress’ promise of giving one tola gold under the Kalyanalakshmi scheme.
During a budget preparatory meeting, Prabhakar asked for additional funding for the Road Transport Corporation (RTC) to buy new buses and improve other facilities. He mentioned that on average, 27 lakh women travel in buses daily. The free bus service is available in 80% of the buses, resulting in nine lakh additional passengers every day. This has led to a decrease in revenue and an increase in expenditure.
Prabhakar also emphasized the need for the government to provide bank loans and fill vacancies. He mentioned that the government should pay the employees’ dues related to bonds, PF, and CPS. He highlighted the employees’ dedication to the growth of the corporation and the upcoming Samakka Saralamma jatara. He urged Deputy CM to provide positive news regarding pending DAs and ensure salaries are paid on the first day of each month.
Regarding the Transport department, Prabhakar stated that the revenue has decreased due to buses being registered in other states. He requested government permission to collect user charges for constructing new department buildings. In terms of BC Welfare, he emphasized the need to increase Kalyanalakshmi funds due to the promise of one tola gold and monetary benefits for beneficiaries. The discussion mainly focused on BC residential schools, Kalyanalakshmi, and BC scholarships. Prabhakar also mentioned the importance of budget allocation for BC Census and buildings for BC study circles in former districts. He pointed out that a decision on the party’s BC declaration needs to be made by the government.
