The government will pay salaries for the three strike days
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced on Friday that wages would be released to the TGRTC staff for the three-day strike period and that the government would withdraw cases filed on agitating workers. He directed transport minister Ponnam Prabhakar and officials to take immediate measures to implement the decisions.
Revanth Reddy announced during his meeting with RTC workers unions at his residence on Friday. He told them that the government was committed to resolving their demands and protecting their rights. He said that the government was taking numerous measures to strengthen the TGSRTC financially and ensuring the effective functioning of the corporation.
Leaders of RTC trade unions expressed their gratitude to Revanth Reddy for taking the initiative to resolve their issues. The Chief Minister complimented the RTC staff for coming forward with an action plan aimed at enhancing the RTC's development, ensuring its survival, upholding its dignity, and providing excellent services to the public.
The Chief Minister said that the number of buses had been increased and staff recruited to increase the RTC revenue. Further, the government ahd decided to construct an international-standard bus terminal on 150 acres in Shamshabad and 100 acres was allocated at Gajularamaram for the construction of a bus terminal.
In view of increasing financial burden imposed by diesel buses, the CM said that the RTC was procuring 1,000 electric buses (EVs) to establish seamless connectivity with the Metro Rail network, and mini-buses to strengthen the fleet. The RTC was spending ₹2,000 crore on diesel, he noted.
Revanth Reddy said that the RTC’s dues were not accumulated in the Congress government tenure; nevertheless, it was making earnest efforts to clear the debts. The matter of pending compassionate appointments had been taken up, he said adding that the government would take decisions on financial matters including the Pay Revision Commission soon. The unions should hold discussions among themselves and present viable options to the government for a permanent solution, he suggested.
The Chief Minister cautioned the RTC workers against being influenced by Opposition politics. The Chief Minister also appealed to the workers to stop strikes and dharnas which could cause more damage to the corporation. “The workers must cooperate in the endeavour to strengthen and sustain the organisation.” He noted that the RTC workers had supported the Congress to form government in Telangana and the party would stand with them.
He said not a single driver will be removed from service and it was also responsibility of every RTC worker to strive for the revival of the organisation. He said the government had provided `8,000-crore assistance to RTC for the Mahalakshmi scheme. “Despite facing financial constraints, we are striving to clear the dues owed to the employees. ₹1,000 crore have been released towards clearing the employees pending bills,” he added.
Revanth Reddy directed officials to maintain good communication between the workers and the depot managers.
The representatives of RTC Telangana Mazdoor Union, RTC Telangana Mazdoor Union (R), TSRTC Staff & Workers Federation, TSRTC Employees Union, TSRTC National Mazdoor Union, TSRTC Karmika Parishad, TSRTC Staff & Workers Union, Telangana RTC Bahujana Karmika Union, Telangana RTC Workers Union, TSRTC Karmika Sangh, TSRTC Samajika Telangana Mazdoor Union, TSRTC Telangana Jatiya Mazdoor Union, . Telangana State RTC Bahujan Workers Union participated in the meeting.
