RTC Strike Enters Second Day Amid Protests And Arrests

Hyderabad: The RTC Joint Action Committee (JAC) intensified its strike on Thursday, the second day of the agitation, with three employees reportedly suicide attempts, escalating concern over the situation.

Bus services remained suspended at depots, affecting lakhs of commuters, while private operators charged over three times the usual fares for district services, while the government offered to talk.

Speaking to media persons, transport minister Poonam Prabhakar said, “The government will resolve the issues that RTC faces. The workers should refrain from taking hasty decisions. There has been a slight delay as discussions needed to be held at the Cabinet level. We have constituted a sub-committee, led by ministers, to resolve the workers' issues. We will hold talks with the JAC leaders tomorrow.”

The JAC has placed 32 demands before the government, of which three remain unresolved, including the absorption of the corporation into the government, implementation of PRCs, and restoration of unions.

JAC leaders indicated that protest strategies similar to ‘Sakala Janula Samme’ during the Telangana statehood movement would be adopted, with programmes such as ‘Vanta Varpu’ and ‘Bathukamma’ planned in the coming days.

The RTC management, however, initiated the hiring of temporary drivers and conductors through advertisements. The corporation is offering `1,000 for drivers and `800 for conductors. The JAC urged temporary workers not to accept these positions, stating that the protest concerns recruitment issues. Eligibility criteria include 18 months’ experience for drivers with a heavy vehicle licence and Class 10 qualification with TIM training for conductors.

Police detained protesters at depots in several districts and removed tents set up by the JAC. Notices were also issued to tent house operators directing them not to supply materials to the protesters.