TSRTC increases ticket fares as passengers rush for polls

The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) has increased fares as thousands of people are going for elections in the State. Without taking any permission from the government, the corporation can increase the fares for a certain percentage on special days. However, on Saturday the TSRTC earned around Rs 13 crore from the passengers, which is Rs 3 crore more than the usual days. 
From Uppal to Thorrur destination, the TSRTC has charged Rs 350 per person, before the election fever which was Rs 290. It means around 20 per cent increased from the previous charge.  
A passenger named Uday Kiran said, “I did not know till I got into the bus that the charge had been increased. Otherwise, I would have returned to my room, without going to vote. At this time also the government is putting a burden on us. In my opinion this is not correct.”
A passenger named Suresh said, “However, for ladies the government has brought ‘Mahalakshmi’ scheme. With that women are travelling free of cost even on an occasion like this. T fares increased by the TSRTC applied to men only.” 
Meanwhile the TSRTC has not given leave on May 13 to the conductors, drivers and other staff. They have strict orders that there would be no leave between May 10 and 13. On poll day, the TSRTC has segregated the staff into two shifts as before 2 pm and after 2 pm. One who completes after 2 pm should vote after that. Another shift is that people have to come for work after voting in the polling station. 
A conductor from Barkhatpura said that if a person completes his work by 2 pm, how could they go to their residence in two to three hours. However, the work would not complete by 2 pm sharp.