Vijayawada: AndhraPradesh Public Transport Department (APPTD) commissioner and Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) ex-officio vice-chairman and managing director N Balasubrahmanyam said that 35 of the 40 major issues raised by APSRTC employees’ associations had been resolved through discussions between the management and the Joint Action Committee (JAC).
Addressing the media along with executive directors, senior officials and JAC representatives at the conference hall on the NTR Administrative Building premises here on Friday, he said the remaining five issues, which were under the purview of the State Government, had been referred to it for consideration.
He said the government had also approved compassionate appointments for 76 eligible family members, 43 cases involving employees who became medically unfit and 33 cases involving employees who subsequently died after becoming medically unfit.
A one-time relaxation had also been granted in cases where the prescribed period had expired, he added. Balasubrahmanyam said around 1,550 new buses were expected to be added to the APSRTC fleet over the next six to seven months.
The Government had approved 500 CNG buses, while buses under the PM-eBus Sewa programme would also be inducted, he said. He assured employees that the introduction of electric buses would not lead to job losses.
“The number of buses will increase, not decrease,” he said, adding that drivers and mechanical staff would continue to be effectively utilised.
He said four previously closed depots would be reopened and recruitment would be taken up in phases based on manpower requirements and Government approvals.
The VC&MD also said strict measures were being taken in coordination with the police to prevent attacks on APSRTC crew.
Special focus was also being given to employee health, including preventive check-ups and additional medical facilities.
