Chairman of the Kerala Congress (Jacob) Johnny Nellore has cautioned the State government against going in for quick-fix solutions to overcome the challenges posed by the Supreme Court directive on removing diesel subsidy for the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Mr. Nellore said that the core value of the public sector corporation was service to the people and not unrestrained profit-making. As such, the new challenges needed permanent solutions rather than short-term measures such as discontinuing uneconomical schedules or cutting down the number of employees, he said.
It was up to the State and Central governments to take necessary steps to protect the corporation. ‘‘If the Supreme Court verdict is the main bottleneck, the government should take steps for bringing in new legislation to bypass the order in this regard,’’ he said.
Mr. Nellore launched a scathing attack on the Public Works Department and alleged that the functioning of the department had brought disgrace to the image of the government. Almost the entire road network remained rundown after the monsoon. Though the government had provided funds for taking up maintenance work, little had been done, he said.
