Friday, Feb 04, 2005
Friday, Feb 04, 2005 |
| Kerala | ||||
|
News:
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Kerala
By Our Special Correspondent
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, FEB. 3. The Government is considering a hike in the fares of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses other than ordinary services in view of the rise in the prices of diesel and spare-parts, the Transport Minister, N. Sakthan, told the Assembly today. Replying to questions from Pirappancode Murali, A.C. Moideen, Girija Surendran and others, he said the diesel prices had been hiked on seven occasions after the present Government took over. If the diesel price went up by Re.1, the KSRTC incurred a loss of Rs.1 crore a month. The State-run transport services in the neighbouring States were able to run profitably despite charging lower fares because of better Government support, he said. As many as 100 new town-to-town buses were being introduced soon as they had been found to be profitable. The steps to strengthen the Corporation had started showing results and there had been a substantial increase in revenue in the recent past.
Students' concession
Mr. Sakthan said that concession would be extended to students on new routes. Mini buses would be run on routes where big buses cannot operate. In view of the traffic congestion in Kochi city, long-distance KSRTC services would be diverted via Aroor and Vyttila along the National Highway bypass after discussions. In a written reply to Thomas Issac, the Minister said the Corporation had availed itself of Rs.327.7 crores in loans since 2001. Out of this, Rs.229. 4 crores was spent on purchasing new buses, Rs.69 crores on diesel, Rs.7.76 crores on MACT compensation payments and Rs.21.5 crores on loan repayment. In a reply to K. Mohan Kumar, he said 150 Anantapuri Fast buses and 38 mini buses would be introduced in the State capital. One more low-floor Anantapuri Air Bus would soon be added to the three already launched.
GIM projects
The Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, said that thanks to the Global Investor Meet (GIM), projects worth Rs.49,000 crores were in various stages of implementation in the State. Intervening when the Industries and Social Welfare Minister, V. K. Ibrahim Kunju, was answering questions on the topic, Mr. Chandy said investments worth Rs.30,000 crores were expected this year itself. Replying to questions from T. M. Jacob, M. V. Jayarajan, P. T. Thomas, Benoy Viswom and others, Mr. Kunju said the Government would take steps to give single-window clearance for those who invested more than Rs.20 crores. Trade unions were cooperating well with the Government and they could not be blamed for industries not coming to the State, he said. Reliance Industries had not given any reason for not investing in Kerala so far. There was no move to ban the mining of mineral sand in the coastal areas, including the tsunami-affected places. In a written reply, he said 3,783 cases were under the consideration of the State Women's Commission.
Printer friendly
page
News:
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
|
|
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | Business Line | The Sportstar | Frontline | The Hindu eBooks | The Hindu Images | Home |
Copyright © 2005, The
Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu
|
