Dy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka urges RTC to come up with innovative revenue generation ideas

HYDERABAD: In a crucial pre-budget meeting, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Tuesday asked Transport Department officials to explore innovative avenues for generating additional revenue.

Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka was accompanied by Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar for a pre-budget meeting with the officials at the Secretariat. They deliberated on budget proposals for the Transport and BC Welfare Departments.

Emphasizing the public's high expectations of the Congress government, Deputy Chief Minister Vikramarka asked Transport Department officials to explore innovative avenues for generating additional revenue in the pre-budget meeting. He underscored the government's commitment to fulfilling manifesto promises and expressed financial support for the Road Transport Corporation (RTC) in implementing the Mahalakshmi program.

Concerned about the lower-than-expected revenue growth in the current financial year, the Deputy Chief Minister urged officials to align budget proposals with actual requirements. Commending the RTC's efforts to curb losses, he called for measures to reduce expenditure and explore revenue-generating strategies, drawing inspiration from the Hyderabad metro rail model. He voiced apprehension over the rising number of road accidents, prompting Transport officials to study various models to mitigate such incidents.

The meeting also saw a focus on enhancing the performance of BC residential schools, with a call for a comprehensive study of schemes aimed at improving artisans' skills.

Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar highlighted the success of the Mahalakshmi Scheme and expressed the need for procuring new buses and recruitments for the RTC. He elaborated on various schemes implemented by the BC Welfare Department, such as residential schools, Kalyanalakshmi, scholarships, and financial assistance for backward class corporations. The minister urged the government to allocate funds for constructing buildings for Gurukulams and increasing overseas scholarships to more than 300 students annually.

The meeting was attended by key officials including Finance Special Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao, R&B Principal Secretary Srinivas Raju, BC Welfare Principal Secretary B Venkatesham, and Transport Commissioner Jyoti Buddha Prakash.