An inter-state reciprocal agreement over transportation has been inked by the two Telugu states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, yesterday.

During the official conclusion of the agreement, the Ministers and officials of the road transport departments and representatives of APSRTC and TSRTC were present. AP transport minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu and his Telangana counterpart P Mahendar Reddy , APSRTC MD, vice-chairman M Malakondaiah, TSRTC managing director G V Ramana Rao, AP transport commissioner N Bala Subramanyam and other officials, participated in the meeting, says sources. It is said that various issues regarding inter-state goods transport, tourism and public transport have been discussed.

The representatives of both the states proposed that the agreement will enable transport department to have counter-signature permit for the goods and transport vehicles as well as sort out pending issues after the state bifurcation such as sharing of the APSRTC assets, inter-state taxes, and employees shifting in the road transport department under Ministerial monitoring.

The agreement will come into form, at another meeting that is scheduled to be held towards the end of May. As per the terms of the agreement, the quarterly taxes for lorries carrying goods, and other non-transport vehicles will come down to 8000 from the current 48,000. Also, the buses belonging to private travels and the state-owned transport company, APSRTC are also expected to benefit from the agreement.

AP transport minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu said, “The buses should have to pay permit as usual and there would be no additional taxes on them. We shall lose revenue due to the agreement, but we are happy that it will prove to be a win-win arrangement for both the states as a majority of the issues will be resolved at casual meetings.”

SUPRAJA