Date:09/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/09/stories/2006090925880400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Nothing `illegal' about services: Setwin chief

Special Correspondent

RTC MD's contention on routes rebuffed

HYDERABAD: Setwin Chairman M.A. Khan on Friday took objection to APSRTC Managing Director M.V. Krishna Rao's contention that the re-introduced Setwin routes were illegal.

He said Mr. Rao himself had given the green signal for the routes as a member of the four-member committee appointed by the Government for formulating guidelines for running Setwin services.

Addressing a press conference here, he said the committee had cleared 64 routes ranging from 3 km to 15 km where Setwin services could ply.

"It is surprising to note that the RTC MD is now alleging that the Setwin management does not have route permits," he said.

He said it was unfair on the part of the RTC top brass to raise objections to Setwin mini bus services. He maintained that Setwin was not working against the interests of the RTC.

He said the Government had sanctioned 100 mini buses to Setwin, including 25 new ones. Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy had flagged off six buses last week and the rest would be added to the fleet in a phased manner.