KSRTC knocks government's doors for April salaries

 The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has sought the state government's help for funds to pay employees' April salaries, an official said on Wednesday.

"We have already approached the government and the government is also considering various other options to help the transport corporations," KSRTC Managing Director Shivayogi C. Kalasad told IANS.

He said it is obvious for the corporation to depend on the state government in this time of need butdid not confirm if salaries for April month will be paid.

"Still there is a lot of time. Let us see. We have made our position clear to the government," he said.

According to him, all the four transport corporations in the state - KSRTC, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) and North East Road Transport Corporation (NERTC) - require an amount of Rs 364 crore per month for salaries.

"Government has to, of course, think of its own ways and means to mobilise resources, let us wait and see," Kalasad said.

He said it is not yet clear if government will give the entire amount as a grant or a part of it.

The four road transport corporations employ 1.3 lakh people.

On the KSRTC's ability to pay, Kalasad said the corporation has its internal resources mobilisation but highlighted the difficult scenario road transport corporations across the country are confronting now due to the lockdown.

"... because of the situation which the sector is undergoing, not just KSRTC but the entire transport sector in the entire country does not have that kind of a cash flow," Kalasad said, adding that nearly 200 road transport corporations across India, including KSRTC are facing the same difficulty. IANS