Kerala Government Allocates 127 Crore for KSRTC Diesel Bus Purchases

Thiruvananthapuram: Standing against central government and right-wing moves to privatise public sector enterprises, the Kerala government is firmly supporting KSRTC, Finance Minister K N Balagopal announced during his budget speech.

To ensure timely payment of salaries and pensions, the government allocates 125 crores every month to KSRTC. Measures will continue to guarantee that salaries are credited on the first day of each month, the minister added.

The first Pinarayi government provided 5,002 crores in assistance to KSRTC, while the second Pinarayi government has so far sanctioned 8,525.43 crores. The minister said this underscores the LDF government’s commitment to safeguarding the public transport system. In the budget, 45 crores have been set aside for the renovation of workshops and depots, 12 crores for software and hardware upgrades, and 127 crores for the purchase of diesel buses. Despite ongoing financial pressures, the government will continue proactive measures to make KSRTC profitable while ensuring the welfare and safety of its employees, Balagopal assured.