I’m no quitter, says Antony Chacko

Kochi: Refuting reports of his relinquishing the KSRTC managing director post, Antony Chacko said he wouldn’t quit in the middle of “reviving” the loss-making entity.

Several reports in the last few days claimed Chacko is upset with the unions objecting to his “reforms” and that he sought to be posted in a central government organisation outside the state.

“I’m not going anywhere at this juncture and the next two months are crucial. The most important initiative will be the loan-swapping agreement, the working out of which will see the corporation saving Rs 30 crore to Rs 40 crore a month,” Chacko said.

Earlier, the KSRTC had taken a loan of Rs 1,300 crore from the Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation at an interest rate of 14.5 per cent.

Later, it reached an agreement to avail a loan of Rs 1,300 crore from public sector banks at a lesser interest rate for swapping the KTDFC loan.

However, the official charged the trade unions with creating “unnecessary issues” and blindly objecting to reforms.

“They conducted a relay strike outside my office for some minor issues like transfer of a few staff and even protested outside my house in Alappuzha.”