Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said that a committee of experts will be constituted shortly that will work out ways and means to make Road Transport Corporations financially self-reliant as well as profitable.
Speaking at a function organised by the KSRTC to felicitate 60 drivers who have put in “accident-free” service of 15 years, the chief minister said that he was aware of the difficult situation prevailing in all RTCs but exuded confidence that the ‘gloomy atmosphere’ will definitely change for the better in the next coming days. “While analysing the cause for the difficult situation in the RTCs, the proposed committee will also suggest measures to make the RTCs profitable and financially self-reliant,” Bommai added.
Stating that he was aware of the “intrinsic strength of the RTCs” to face challenges and tide over the crisis, the chief minister said the need of the hour is for capacity-building of the RTCs by enhancing professionalism and result-oriented approach among the officers and the staff.
“During Covid – 19 crisis at the time of my predecessor B. S. Yediyurappa, the state government had released Rs 2300 crores. Now, during my period, we have released Rs 108 crores. The state government is always ready to support the RTCs,” Bommai said and added, “The result-oriented approach and qualitative change in the mind-set as well as work-culture will enable the RTCs to become more effective as well as profit-making organisations”
The Chief Minister emphasised the need to improve the quality of day-to-day life of the staff and said, “People have developed an emotional bonding with KSRTC. A bus means many things – journey, travel, etc; it also has a unique concept of inclusiveness as it offers space to everybody; a bus is symbol of eternal movement.” Bommai said.
Saluting the drivers for their sense of commitment, devotion and dedication with which they perform their duty, the chief minister said, “Our life is in your hands. We have immense faith in your professional capabilities and sincerity of purpose. I salute you for discharging your responsibilities in difficult and trying circumstances”
Bommai said that no matter what sweeping changes the mass transport system undergoes world over, bus will continue to remain the most favourite mode of transport of the common man. “In the changed circumstances owing to technological revolution, we have proposed to buy 90 electricity-driven buses and the KSRTC has proposed to buy 642 sophisticated buses,” the chief minister added.
An engineer by professional and a technocrat by nature, the chief minister appreciated the innovation undertaken in the KSRTC workshops and called upon the technical staff to go in for optimum utilisation of evolving technology.
About 60 drivers who have been serving in KSRTC for the last 15 years without causing a single accident with Gold Medal. The chief minister also unveiled a stamp paper to mark 60 years of KSRTC in the service of the people. A souvenir was also released to mark 60 years of KSRTC Bus Stand. Digital Learning Service in collaboration with INFOSYS was also inaugurated.
Minister B. Sreeramulu, Kota Srinivasa Poojry, B. C.Nagesh, Anand Singh, KSRTC Chairman M. Chandrappa, MLA Rizwan Arshad, Karnataka Chief Post Master General Sharada Sampath, Transport Secretary Rajendra Kataria and other senior officers were present at the function.