Latest news with #AITUC-backed
Time of India
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Autorickshaw rush at new Trichy bus terminus leaves drivers waiting for hours
Trichy: The newly commissioned Kalaignar Karunanidhi Bus Terminus (KKBT) in Panjapur is facing an unexpected problem — overcrowding by autorickshaws. Around 550 three-wheelers have flooded the premises, far exceeding demand and forcing many drivers to wait 5-6 hours for their first ride of the day. Instead of streamlining fares, the glut of autos and poor passenger demand have led to overcharging in some cases. While 250 autorickshaws from the Central Bus Terminus were allocated space at KKBT's front entrance, another 300 from nearby areas like E Pudur and Crawford were directed to the rear entrance. "Autorickshaw unions from across the city approach us daily for space at KKBT. Though we cannot deny them outright, the overcrowding is making business unsustainable," a senior corporation official said. Authorities have clarified that no auto stands will be permitted within the terminus itself. For now, drivers park in long queues outside both entrances. However, with the terminus well-connected by city buses to Central and Chathiram bus stands, many solo travellers and low-income passengers prefer public transport. Families often disembark at stops like Mannarpuram or TVS Tollgate to reach the city core, further reducing demand for autos at Panjapur. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo "I waited six hours for my first ride today. Many inexperienced drivers have also taken slots here and are overcharging passengers," said R Murugesan, an AITUC-backed auto driver. The queue system further delays subsequent rides, prompting some drivers to overcharge by ₹100-₹150 just to make ends meet. Fares to places like the airport or Srirangam can touch ₹600-₹700, depending on passenger urgency. "The district administration should introduce pre-booked auto services through apps or counters to regulate fares. Unscrupulous drivers could tarnish the reputation of the new terminus," warned consumer rights activist H Ghouse Baig. Authorities expect that some autos may leave the terminus voluntarily as poor demand persists. Meanwhile, RTO officials said no formal complaints about fare fleecing have been received so far.
The Hindu
28-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Alleged move to ‘delink' BrahMos Thiruvananthapuram unit from parent organisation kicks up row
An alleged move to 'delink' the Thiruvananthapuram unit of BrahMos from the parent BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd (BAPL), the Indo-Russian missile JV, has cast a pall of uncertainty over an enterprise that was once hailed as a model of Centre-State collaboration. Over the past few weeks, employees at the BrahMos Aerospace Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (BATL), situated at Chakka in the State capital, have been concerned over a reported move to separate BATL from BAPL, of which it is a wholly-owned subsidiary. They have sought the urgent intervention of the Kerala government to discourage any move that adversely impacts the future of the unit and jobs. When contacted by The Hindu, BATL managing director A. Joseph said the Thiruvananthapuram unit has not been delinked thus far, but he also did not fully rule out the possibility of such an eventuality. Mr. Joseph went on to add that he was not privy to the discussions taking place at the BAPL headquarters. Employees' unions argue that the Kerala government cannot be kept in the dark about such decisions with respect to BATL as the unit was established in 2007 by transferring the State government-run company Kerala Hi-Tech Industries Ltd (KELTEC) for a token ₹1. Unions allege that the BrahMos management have show utter disregard to the Thiruvananthapuram unit even at a time when Operation Sindoor has demonstrated the might of the BrahMos missile and the demand for its production is on the rise. They also note that BATL has run on a profit over the past 11 years, including a ₹24 crore profit in 2024-25. With the INTUC-led BrahMos Staff Association and the AITUC-backed BrahMos Employees Union conveying their apprehensions over the reported delinking move, Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor and CPI State secretary Binoy Viswam, who is also president of the AITUC-led union, have separately appealed to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to urgently intervene to protect the unit. Mr. Tharoor noted in a June 27 letter that 'Employees were recently alarmed to learn - through proceedings at a Board of Directors meeting and the Annual General Meeting of BAPL - that a resolution had been passed to delink BATL from BAPL. This decision was taken without the prior knowledge or consultation of the State government, the employees, or the trade unions, and has been widely perceived as a disregard for the significance of this vital defence manufacturing unit in Kerala.' Mr. Viswam, in a June 4 letter expressed similar sentiment, and urged Mr. Singh to 'investigate this matter.' Both Mr. Tharoor and Mr. Viswam have urged the Defence Minister to allay fears by either retaining BATL under BAPL's structure or reconstituting it as a direct production entity under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). KELTEC, situated on 15.80 acres near the Thiruvananthapuram airport, was transferred to BAPL, a JV of the DRDO and Russian company NPOM, on December 5, 2007. A.K. Antony was Defence Minister at the time in the Congress-led UPA government while Elamaram Kareem was Industries Minister in the LDF government led by V.S. Achuthanandan in Kerala. In connection with the transfer, a March 22, 2007, State Industries Department order observed that the Centre-State collaboration would provide Kerala with its 'first defence production unit.' It would also 'result in additional investments between at least ₹100 crore to ₹200 crore initially and may go up many fold.' Ends
The Hindu
22-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Panel to hear trade unions representing ASHAs on June 30
A committee formed by the State government to study the problems faced by the Accredited Social Health Activist Workers (ASHAs) will hear the trade unions representing them on June 30. The hearing will be held at the South Conference Hall of the Secretariat. The Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association, the CITU-backed Kerala State ASHA Workers Federation, the INTUC-backed All Kerala Pradesh ASHA Workers Congress, the ASHA Workers Federation (STU) and the AITUC-backed All India Trade Union Congress have been given time at the hearing. Each union can be represented by up to three persons, of which two should be ASHAs, according to a direction issued by the State Health and Family Welfare department. ASHAs have been on agitation mode demanding better remuneration and retirement benefits.
