Bengaluru, Sep 2 (IANS) Karnataka Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader R. Ashoka on Wednesday accused the Congress government of pushing the state’s transport corporations into a severe financial crisis and alleged that implementation of the Shakti scheme had weakened the public transport system.
In a statement on social media X, Ashoka targeted Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh, alleging that the government had failed to reimburse the transport corporations for the cost of providing free bus travel to women under the Shakti scheme.
“The Shakti scheme of the Congress government has broken the backbone of Karnataka’s public transport system. What answer will you give to the people of Karnataka and transport employees for pushing the corporations into a debt trap?” Ashoka asked.
Citing figures, Ashoka claimed that the government owed the transport corporations Rs 5,651.24 crore towards reimbursement for free travel provided to women under the scheme.
He also alleged that the four state-run transport corporations had accumulated loans amounting to Rs 9,723.99 crore. He cited figures saying that KSRTC has outstanding liabilities of Rs 2,183.49 crore, BMTC Rs 1,068.90 crore, KKRTC Rs 1,045.95 crore and NWKRTC Rs 1,352.90 crore.
Ashoka further alleged that the corporations were facing mounting liabilities, including Rs 2,658.18 crore in employees’ provident fund dues, Rs 538.18 crore in dues to retired employees and Rs 1,053.88 crore in pending diesel payments.
“Transport corporations do not have money to purchase diesel, procure urgent spare parts or pay salaries and retirement benefits to employees,” he alleged.
Targeting Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh, Ashoka accused him of indulging in publicity exercises instead of addressing the financial crisis facing the transport corporations.
“Stop the photo-shoot drama of making sudden visits to bus stands and posing before cameras. Transport corporations cannot be financially strengthened through photographs; they need the money that the government owes them,” he said.
Ashoka also criticised the state government over the delay in introducing smart cards for public transport users, alleging that the Congress government has been making assurances without taking concrete action.
He urged the state government to immediately release the Rs 5,651 crore allegedly pending towards reimbursement to the transport corporations.
“Do not turn the families of transport employees into paupers for your political interests. Release the pending Rs 5,651 crore to the corporations immediately,” Ashoka demanded.
He warned that if the government failed to act, the BJP would launch a strong protest in support of transport employees and against the Congress government.
–IANS
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