Date:04/03/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/03/04/stories/2005030408410400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

IR: 638-crore additional burden on exchequer

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, MARCH 3. There will be an additional annual burden of Rs. 638 crores on the exchequer on account of the interim relief allowed to the Government staff at 8.5 per cent of their basic pay, the Finance Minister, K. Rosaiah, informed the Assembly on Thursday.

Replying to a question by Y. Ramakrishnudu (TDP), he said this included Rs. 151 crores for pensioners.

Answering another question, he told Ch. Ramakrishna Reddy of the Congress that he was willing to depute a senior official to inquire whether doctors at the Nandyal Government Hospital were running their own clinics neglecting their duties.

The RTC bus depot at Charminar in the city would be shifted from the present location only after the second site was ready, said the Transport Minister, S. Santosh Reddy.

Replying to Mr. Mumtaz Ahmed Khan, MIM, the Transport Minister said the new site was being levelled. Traffic of buses would be diverted after the road-widening.