*Rs. 1 Lakh crore APSRTC assets under threat of privatization through EV bus policy*

Tadepalli, June 15: YSR Trade Union State President Poonuru Gautham Reddy stated that the coalition government is using the introduction of electric buses as a pretext to privatize APSRTC and hand over nearly Rs. 1 lakh crore worth of depots, land and infrastructure on 99-year leases. He said the Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy government strengthened APSRTC by merging nearly 50,000 employees into government service, clearing Rs. 2,500 crore in dues and ordering 1,459 new buses, while the present government is weakening the corporation through privatization.
He pointed out that APSRTC’s workforce has declined from 59,300 to 42,000 employees, while the bus fleet has reduced from 12,500 to 10,700, with hundreds of overaged buses still operating. He said the free bus travel scheme for women is imposing a financial burden on APSRTC, with the government reimbursing only Rs. 160 crore against a monthly cost of Rs. 250 crore.
Gautham Reddy demanded the withdrawal of the 99-year lease proposal and immediate recruitment to 11,000 vacant posts, warning that YSRTU would launch statewide collectorate protests and intensify its agitation if the privatization process is not stopped.