The frequent change of guard at the Transport Ministry is affecting its functioning. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and the Motor Vehicles Department, the two crucial departments under the Transport portfolio, are the worst affected. A.K. Saseendran had stepped down as Transport Minister in March paving way for Thomas Chandy.
Efforts to revive RTC
Mr. Chandy’s resignation on Wednesday comes at a time when efforts to revive the State transport utility are on by taking a long-term loan of ₹3,000 crore to wipe out its liabilities. The loan from the consortium of banks led by the State Bank of India has not materialised and Mr. Chandy, entangled in a controversy over his backwater resort, could not devote enough time to clear the issues.
The vexed issues of payment of monthly pension and pension arrears are yet to be resolved. Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac had to step in to manage funds for payment of salary and pension. The Chief Minister’s Office also had to intervene.
The KSRTC employees are up in arms over the wet lease of Scania buses with driver, the revised duty roster, taking high-ranking officials on contract, and the move to cap the pension. Mr. Chandy failed to take the employees and the recognised unions into confidence while ushering in changes in the fleet and management.
Crucial issues in the Motor Vehicles Department also got sidelined during Mr. Chandy’s tenure as the KSRTC got prominence. The MVD did not get the needed support for strengthening its enforcement activities.
The Transport Minister’s seat seems to be too hot for the occupants as almost every Minister who was entrusted with the crucial portfolio, both in the UDF and LDF dispensation, had to quit prematurely.