Date:28/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/28/stories/2007122856670400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Court directs RTC to defer hiring buses

Legal Correspondent

Corporation employees decide to go ahead with agitation

Case adjourned to third week of January
MSR justifies decision to hire buses

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Thursday made it clear that the A. P. State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) in inviting tenders for hiring buses would be subject to further orders in the writ petition filed by the National Mazdoor Union (NMU).

Justice C. V. Nagarjuna Reddy stated this while dealing with the union’s petition challenging the action of the APSRTC management in inviting private operators to supply vehicles through a tender process. The union contended that this was in violation of the decision arrived at a joint meting with the unions on this issue. The Judge asked the authorities to file a counter and adjourned the case to January third week.

Special Correspondent adds: APSRTC Chairman M. Satyanarayana Rao said that the corporation has not signed any understanding with the employees’ unions that it would not hire private buses. Speaking to reporters, Mr. Rao justified the decision to hire private buses on the ground that the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, in its report had recommended that 20 per cent of the corporation’s fleet could comprise hired buses.

Earlier, Mr. Rao, accompanied by APSRTC Managing Director V. Dinesh Reddy and Secretary, Transport, Chitra Ramachandran met the Chief Minister and discussed the situation arising out of the High Court directive. They explained that they were paying Rs. 16 per km for ordinary buses. Up front, this meant a saving of Re. 1 per km operated.

Sources at the APSRTC corporate office indicated that the tender process would go on and that in tune with the Court direction, they would be finalised only subject to the outcome of the writ petition that would be heard three weeks from now.

Temporary relief

R. Lakshmaiah of the Staff and Workers Federation, welcomed the High Court’s decision and said it provided temporary relief. However, the federation, instead of depending merely on court directions, would consolidate its strength and prevail upon the management not to hire buses.

Office-bearers of NMU, the recognised union, held a meeting to take stock of the situation in the wake of the court ruling. They were said to be weighing their legal options.

When contacted NMU president M. Nageswara Rao said as of now, they were going ahead with the agitation.