Verdict in favour of private buses: KSRTC to file appeal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Transport Department has decided to file an appeal against the High Court verdict that will adversely affect the KSRTC. The High Court had recently quashed the provision prohibiting private buses from operating services beyond 140 kilometres. The government will file an appeal against this.

Although the verdict was pronounced on November 8, both the government and the KSRTC had been hesitating in filing an appeal against this. Kerala Kaumudi had pointed this out in an article published on November 10. The government finally decided to file an appeal after the opposition unions intensified the protest against the government accusing it of colluding and deliberately losing the case. Minister KB Ganesh Kumar said that the appeal will be filed on Tuesday or Wednesday.

The High Court issued the verdict citing technical reasons. At the same time, the court did not say that the state government's scheme for operating services of more than 140 km was legally wrong. Orders have been placed for 200 new buses to operate take-over services. The minister explained in the press conference that the buses will hit the road as soon as the KSRTC receives the 92 crore rupees earmarked by the government for this purpose.