THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister Antony Raju said in the assembly that the government is trying to increase the income of KSRTC by running more buses, reduce the expenses and pay the salaries within the 5th of every month. The minister was replying to the adjournment motion notice moved by M.Vincent of the opposition. The opposition walked out of the House accusing the Left government of destroying the KSRTC in six years and destroying the transport system of the common man.

M.Vincent accused SWIFT of being the executioner of KSRTC. KSRTC's daily service has come down to 10 lakh. He said that not a single appointment has been made through PSC after 2018. Minister Antony Raju retorted by saying that the opposition was opposing SWIFT to help private monopolies. He also said that more appointments cannot be made to the KSRTC at present due to the salary crisis.

The minister also said that if the single duty system, as suggested by the Sushil Khanna committee and as agreed upon by trade unions in an agreement signed in January this year, was implemented, then around 1,300 buses lying idle can be pressed into operation and the revenue of KSRTC increased further. "If the drivers and conductors agree to the single duty system, the services will increase, the idle buses will become operational and thus, salaries would be paid on time," he said.

However, after signing the agreement, which also provided for a new salary structure, the trade unions were opposing the single duty system now, he added.

Dismissing the opposition's allegation that drivers and conductors have to work 12-hour shifts under the single duty system, Antony Raju stated there was no 12-hour shift and presently, drivers and conductors were only working for seven hours.

The minister said that 25 electric buses will be purchased soon and a tender has been issued to purchase new buses at a cost of 756 crores.

Meanwhile, opposition leader VD Satheesan said that the government has increased KSRTC's losses fivefold by shifting all its profitable services to SWIFT.