Overview
- The five-member expert committee led by K. Padmakumar submitted its report to the state government on Wednesday and officials including Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan have reviewed the recommendations.
- Core recommendations include formally recognising private stage-carriage services as an industry eligible for MSME-style benefits, changing Priyadarshini bus timings to reduce overlap, and introducing wet-lease contracts with KSRTC at fixed per-kilometre rates.
- The panel proposed fiscal and regulatory reliefs such as extending bus service life from 22 to 25 years through a rule change, allowing monthly vehicle-tax payments, access to dealer-rate diesel from KSRTC pumps, and state-backed insurance and streamlined permits.
- Private operators told the committee they face daily losses of ₹1,500–₹6,000 on vulnerable stretches and about 500 fully operational buses have stopped service in districts including Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Wayanad.
- State ministers said many suggestions appear acceptable but final decisions require further study and multi-agency action, and operators have rejected the report as inadequate and warned of possible strikes with a key meeting set for September 8.