In a bid to tide over the fuel crisis in the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, the government on Wednesday decided to hand over 67 pumps in operation at the various KSRTC depots to the State Civil Supplies Corporation. The move comes in the light of the Supreme Court ruling to do away with subsidies in diesel prices for the state-manned undertaking.
Oil companies have agreed in principle to the suggestion and promised to facilitate separate retail licences for such outlets, after securing the sanction from the Central Government. Meanwhile, the government has ruled out a hike in bus fare on account of the latest developments.
The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and attended by Transport Minister Aryadan Mohammed and other top officials of the KSRTC and oil majors’ Indian Oil Corporation and HPCL, reached a consensus to prop up the public service utility by means of allotting diesel subsidy.
“The idea is to find a way out within the parameters of law and the Supreme Court directive. The HC stay has been vacated pending a final judgment. What has to be done till the operations planned under the Supplyco becomes a reality will be addressed by the Cabinet meet slated for September 20,” Aryadan said.
“What remains to be decided is whether the pumps should be rented out to Supplyco or entrusted to undertake operations for a certain period. Supplyco can earn a commission,” the Minister said.