GUWAHATI, June 9 � The State Transport Workers� Association on Wednesday insisted that the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) should function as a government department and that more funds should be sanctioned for further improving the image of the corporation.
Addressing mediapersons here, the Association members said that if the corporation is made to function as a government department once again, it will pave the way for employing thousands of local youth enabling the organization to provide efficient services to the passengers.
General secretary of the Association, Khursid Alam, said that the ASTC, which once had gone through rough days, has now a lot to be proud of. �There was a time when employees of ASTC did not get their salary for 14 months; seven had committed suicide and many were compelled to work as daily wage labourers. Now things have changed. The ASTC employees not only get regular salary, their salary is also at par with the other State government employees,� said Alam adding that at present the ASTC has 650 buses running on the roads.
Alam further said that much needs to be done so that ASTC emerges as the best bus service provider in the region. It needs to be mentioned here that apart from transport services, the corporation has also been providing other facilities like waiting rooms in all cities and town in Assam, courier and cargo services, and computerized ticketing system in major town in the State.
�Optimal use of the assets of ASTC like the land under its possession will bridge the gap between its income and expenditure,� said Alam, mentioning that extra revenue will give a fillip to the ASTC.
