KSRTC crisis: CMD going on leave

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Biju Prabhakar who is the CMD of KSRTC and Secretary of Transport Department which is not relieved from severe financial crisis, is going on leave. Although the leave is for one month from the 18th to undergo knee surgery, there is a possibility that he may extend the leave. In Biju's absence, joint MD Pramoj Shankar is in charge of the MD post. Rumours are strong that Biju Prabhakar will approach the government to remove him from the post of CMD.

Biju Prabhakar expressed interest in stepping down as CMD last July after the government backed away from announced plans to modernize KSRTC and increase revenue, and even denied promised financial assistance. The salary for August has not been distributed. 80 crore financial assistance was requested from the government last month but it has not been received.

The tender with the Ashok Leyland company had to be abandoned because the 75 crore rupees promised by the government and a loan of 814 crore said to be provided by KIIFB to buy new buses were not received. Biju Prabhakar had done an 'explanation series' on Facebook about the situation in KSRTC which was in crisis.

Government washed its hands

• 250 crore as working capital was demanded but not given.
• The government was asked to provide four KAS officials for dividing the corporation into four but were not given.