Rs 4,500 daily target worries RTC staff

Hyderabad: Drivers and conductors working in depots across the state are being “harassed” by their respective higher authorities by setting up very high targets, an employees leader alleged. Earnings, occupancy ratios and mileage are the areas where targets have been reportedly set.

“Most of the targets depend on factors that are not in our hands. However, the employees have to take the blame if these unrealistic targets are not met,” said an employee on the condition of anonymity.

Recently, a conductor in Musheerabad depot was allegedly not marked attendance nor assigned duty the next day as his ticket sales were `3,500 against the target of `4,500. Employees say that similar instances occurred have in several depots.

Drivers are being penalised for not reaching the higher level of fuel savings in terms of kilometres per litre. It was alleged that increments were being withheld and staff was not being given leave even in an emergency.

Mr K. Raji Reddy, general secretary, TSRTC Employees Union, said, “None of the higher authorities are bothering about the word that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had given to the employees. They are treating employees without any respect. The employees are being harassed citing administrative grounds. Eleven employees including drivers and conductors have been transferred without any valid reason.”

When contacted, an RTC official said that they had set up employees’ welfare boards. If there were any such issues, employees can complain to the boards and action would be taken.