PATHANAMTHITTA: The steep rise in diesel price has left an additional monthly burden of Rs.4.84 crore on the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), according to Transport Minister Mathew T. Thomas.
Addressing a press conference in Thiruvalla on Friday, the Minister said that in the prevailing circumstances, it would be difficult for the corporation to pull on without a fare hike. However, he said, the government would take a final decision on the rate of hike after considering various factors.
Mr. Thomas said the functioning of the KSRTC had witnessed positive changes in the past two years with remarkable growth in revenue. Cooperation on the part of employees, streamlining of administration and economic restructuring resulted in the revenue growth.
He said 10 per cent of the monthly revenue was earmarked for payment of pension arrears to employees.
The Minister said when the Left Democratic Front came to power in 2006, the condition of the KSRTC was worse with the previous government spending even the Employees’ Provident Fund contribution amounting to Rs.216 crore on diesel purchase. However, the KSRTC had not left any arrears on diesel purchase after the LDF came to power.
The Minister said the corporation disbursed Rs.24 crore towards compensation ordered by various Motor Accident Claim Tribunals.
A sum of Rs.84 crore was yet to be cleared.
He said the corporation’s earning per kilometre went up from Rs.19.21 in 2006 to Rs.21.64 in June, 2008.