APSRTC Hire Bus Owners Urge Subsidy Under SC/ST Sub-Plan

Fast Summary

• Vehicle owners from SC, ST, and OBC communities called for the release of subsidy amounts promised for their vehicles purchased under the MSME scheme.
• Subsidy payments were reportedly unfulfilled by the previous government from 2020 to 2024.
• Financial distress has led owners to mortgage assets or take loans to cover expenses like instalments, salaries, and vehicle maintenance.
• APSRTC contract bus operators have been negatively impacted by non-profitable route assignments under YSRCP reverse tendering policies, leading to monthly losses of about ₹50,000 per bus.
• APSRTC practices such as using contract drivers on-call while paying them more than bus owners have created driver shortages for private operators.
• Bus operators face penalties when unable to operate buses due to losses or financial instability.
• owners requested immediate relief through subsidy disbursements from SC/ST sub-plan funds.

Indian opinion Analysis

The plight of SC/ST/OBC bus owners emphasizes systemic issues in subsidy disbursement and its impact on marginalized communities. The delay in payouts has not only deepened financial distress but compromised economic sustainability under government-backed schemes like MSME-highlighting poor implementation mechanisms. Additionally, policy decisions such as reverse tendering in Andhra Pradesh appear misaligned with the operational realities faced by small-scale contractors. Non-profitable routes coupled with burdensome penalties make it challenging for these entrepreneurs to sustain their businesses. Resolving pending commitments could mitigate some hardships but may require more robust frameworks for equitable outcomes going forward.

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