HYDERABAD: Telangana State Road Transportation Corporation (TSRTC) is all geared up for another round of election duty this year. While about 3,000 buses were hired for election duty in 2014, the Corporation has arranged almost 6,000 buses to be deployed this year. Recently, Chief Election Commissioner sent a communication to Corporation requesting the buses and enquiring hiring cost.
For 2014 elections, the Commission spent Rs 14,000 per bus per day. There were a few districts that did not avail services of the Corporation back then. This time, however, taking into account factors like hike in diesel prices, maintenance and others, the Corporation is likely to increase the charges to around Rs 21,000 per bus per day.
This election is definitely a good thing for the Corporation that is suffering losses to the tune of hundreds of crores. “While the committee is yet to release a GO, the response is positive,” says Chief Traffic Manager P.V Munishekar.
“We aren’t looking at it as a profit gaining exercise, but as our contribution to the election duty. We have told them that buses will be ready for December 6 and 7.” Munishekar added that the District Revenue Officer would decide how many buses are required per district. The Corporation is hoping to rake in `10-12 crore as funds if the hiring costs are increased. Special officers will also be appointed for setting rules for the functioning of the buses.
The officials at TSRTC seem worried about the increasing deficit in the funds they’re receiving. “Even a rupee increase in the diesel prices is causing an increase of expenditure of minimum Rs 5 lakh per day. If funds are given in time to the corporation, all the issues could be solved,” said officials.