The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) on Monday informed the Bombay high court that out of Rs 3,300 crore in outstanding bills, the government has sanctioned Rs 500 crore for paymen
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) on Monday informed the Bombay high court that out of Rs 3,300 crore in outstanding bills, the government has sanctioned Rs 500 crore for payment and out of this Rs 84 crore has already been paid to MSRTC.
The division bench was hearing a PIL filed by advocate Dutta Mane who had filed it after reading news that MSRTC had proposed discontinuing concessions on bus fare given to various sections of society as it is incurring losses because the state government has not been reimbursing that amount.
The decision meant that concessions to approximately 72,00,000 passengers including school and college students, blind and handicapped people, senior citizens and sportsmen among others would have been stopped.
While hearing the petition, the MSRTC decided not to discontinue the concessions. However, the petition continued in the court on outstanding bills and reasons why MSRTC was suffering losses.
During hearing, the court had directed the government to take action against illegal private buses and other vehicles ferrying passengers and causing huge loss to the transport corporation. The government on Monday also informed the court that apart from taking action against vehicles, it would initiate action against those who sell tickets of buses that are plying illegally.
The court has asked the government as well as MSRTC to submit a report on action against illegal vehicles so far. The government had assured the court that bus operators would be removed from 200 metres’ radius of ST bus depots. The court has posted this matter for further hearing on February 8.
