RTC profitable now with Mahalakshmi scheme: Bhatti
The Dy CM holds a review meeting at Praja Bhavan on Sunday with RTC, BC Welfare department officials
image for illustrative purpose
Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka stated that the RTC has come into profits due to the Mahalakshmi scheme. Bhatti Vikramarka also said that after the people’s government came to power, cosmetic and mess charges for poor students in welfare hostels were increased by 200 percent. He clarified that bills for cosmetic and mess charges are being paid once every three months.
The Deputy Chief Minister held a review meeting at Praja Bhavan on Sunday with RTC and BC Welfare department officials. Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar, Finance Principal Secretary Sandeep Kumar Sultania, Special Principal Secretary Vikas Raj, RTC MD Nagireddy, other joint transport officials, MJP Secretary Saidulu, and BC Welfare officials participated in the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister said that since coming to power, the people’s government has been taking key measures to strengthen the RTC and support its workers. In particular, he said that the Mahalakshmi Scheme, which provides free bus travel for women, has brought the RTC into profits. Bhatti Vikramarka said that with loans taken from women’s self-help groups and support provided by the government, new buses have been added to the corporation.
He also said the people’s government is supporting the establishment of bus depots and development of bus stations. Along with government support, he advised officials to explore new revenue sources independently. "So far, under the Mahalakshmi scheme, 25.5 billion (255 crore) free bus journeys have taken place in the RTC. The scheme is taking concrete steps toward women’s empowerment. During the previous government’s tenure, PF dues in RTC stood at ₹1,400 crore, which the present government reduced to ₹660 crore within two years. Similarly, CCS dues, which earlier stood at ₹600 crore, have now been reduced to ₹373 crore," Bhatti Vikramarka explained. For free bus travel under the Mahalakshmi Scheme, Bhatti Vikramarka instructed officials to enter into an agreement with the Centre for Good Governance and distribute special cards.
He directed that these cards should reach every woman in Telangana. Bhatti Vikramarka stated that under PM e-DRIVE, 2,800 electric buses are coming to Hyderabad and instructed officials to provide charging stations and necessary infrastructure.
He also said that 100 electric buses will be introduced to Nizamabad and Warangal towns under the same scheme.
The Deputy Chief Minister instructed Finance Secretary Sandeep Kumar Sultania to ensure that uniforms, books, and shoes are distributed to students on the very first day of the academic year, and that there should be no financial hurdles in releasing the required funds. He also directed officials to ensure that free electricity bill dues for Nai Brahmin and Rajaka community associations are released regularly every month without any backlog.
