The Hindu Business Line : KSRTC in for a recast

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will be restructured in such a way as to enable it to break even in two years. This was stated by the Minister for Transport, Mr Mathew T. Thomas, in the State Assembly on Thursday.

In reply to questions, the Minister said that the corporation had submitted a proposal to the State Government for switching over to CNG as fuel. The proposal, worth Rs 280 crore, envisages using CNG in 1,500 buses in the first phase.

The corporation had also submitted another proposal for acquiring electronic buses and both the proposals would be presented before the 13th Finance Commission, he said.

The Minister informed the House that a Russian company, First Planning Engineering, had submitted a proposal to the Government for installing LNG kits in the corporation’s buses.

The Government will have to amend the Motor Vehicles Rules and also secure the approval of the Automobile Research Association of India for using all these alternatives to diesel.

He noted that the corporation would register an annual profit of Rs 43 crore on converting to CNG and Rs 288 crore on using LNG.

tax arrears

The Finance Minister, Dr Thomas Isaac, said in reply to a question that as per the estimates available as on March 31, 2007, the abkari tax arrears was to the tune of Rs 261.83 crore.

The tax arrears in respect of value added tax was Rs 111.88 crore, agriculture income tax Rs 16.23 crore and motor vehicles tax Rs 59.83 crore.

The Revenue Minister, Mr. K.P. Rajendran, said that a civil defence institute would be established in the State with the assistance of the Centre. The institute will offer training in rescue and relief operations during exigencies. The Government is also considering purchase of helicopters to use in rescue operations.

The Minister said that the Government planned to amend the Kerala Land Reforms Act to fix the limit for plantations, which now enjoyed exemptions under the Act.

More Stories on : Roadways | Restructuring | Kerala

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