RTC JAC firm on continuing strike; political parties and social groups express support

RTC unions, BJP meet Governor; Govt ropes in employees as drivers, conductors

Hyderabad: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of TSRTC unions clarified that the ongoing strike would continue further until their demands are fulfilled. The JAC has been holding protests at bus depots across Telangana. The RTC personnel requested all employee organisations to extend support to them. TSRTC unions organised protest rallies and dharnas in front of RTC depots, bus stands and main centres in towns across Telangana.

“Let the state government serve a notice to the dismissed employees. We’ll respond after receiving the notice. The RTC employees have given a strike notice as per law, as we never violated the law of the land. Public transportation can survive only with TSRTC’s revival. We had brought all issues to the notice of the court,” said Ashwathama Reddy, RTC JAC convener.

JAC further found fault with the statement of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao that the average salary at TSRTC is Rs 50,000 per month. The committee invited KCR to participate in a public debate over the wages at TSRTC. “The Chief Minister is diverting public attention by making false statements. We’re ready for an open debate on salaries. KCR says that the average salary at TSRTC is Rs 50,000 per month. We challenge the TSRTC management to make the salaries of all employees public,” said the JAC leader.

The all-party meeting on Thursday expressed wholehearted support to TSRTC employees. Several social organisations also voiced against the state government. BJP-Telangana unit president Dr K Laxman voiced concern over the attempt to take over the properties of TSRTC in the name of privatisation. “Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is acting like a dictator. RTC assets are under threat,” said Dr Laxman.

Bhatti Vikramarka, CLP leader, has called for a united fight against privatising RTC and corporation properties. Chada Venkata Reddy of CPI said that RTC employees should further intensify the agitation to protect public transportation.

Vimalakka of Arunodaya organisation and Manda Krishna Madiga extended their support to RTC employees. Krishna Madiga called all parties, and social organisations to jointly fight against the state government to protect TSRTC.