RTC incurs Rs 535 crore loss last year

HYDERABAD: The APSRTC staff should cringe in despair. Their corporation has created a record in making losses. In the financial year 2011-12, the corporation posted a loss of Rs 535 crore.According to RTC officials, losses had never been so high in the last two decades. In 2009-2010, the loss was Rs 514 crore and 2010-2011 it was ` 317 crore. The officials said sakala Janula samme and Telangana movement were the main reasons for losses last year.Over 50,000 RTC employees went on strike during sakala Janula samme which went on for 42 days in Telangana region. Transportation stopped in all the 10 Telangana district during the strike period.The RTC could not improve passengers occupancy  due to heavy competition from private operators across the state. According to officials the accumulated loss was Rs 2,700 crore besides liabilities in the form of loans raised from banks. There is a criticism that they are not taking any steps to improve bus occupancy ratio.Reliable sources said that if the situation continues like this, the corporation will not be in a position to pay salaries to employees after two months.There is another allegation against the officials that they are spending huge sums on visits and study tours abroad. “The situation is pathetic,” one employee said.