RTC strike continues: Talks under pressure and incomplete: JAC

Hyderabad: The much-hyped talks between TSRTC JAC and the Telangana government concluded incomplete."We're not allowed to speak during the discussions on 26 demands of TSRTC employees", said anguished Ashwathama Reddy, JAC convenor. On the other hand, TSRTC in-charge MD Sunil Sharma said talks were as per the High Court directive.

While the ongoing RTC strike is entering 22nd day, four representatives from JAC, TSRTC in-charge MD and senior officials held talks on 26 demands including merger issue here at Errum Manzil on Saturday. JAC convener Ashwathama Reddy and co-conveners -- Raji Reddy, VS Rao and Vasudev Rao, took part in the talks.

"We presented a list of 26 demands, including merging TSRTC with Telangana government for discussion with the government officials. But we're never allowed to speak. I have never seen such pressure during the talks. They had collected my cell phones before beginning the talks. We put forth 26 demands. But the officials said talks would be only on 21 demands. The High Court said 21 demands not involved a financial aspect. The TSRTC management began talks process with a hidden agenda. We demanded talks on all the 26 issues. We'll discuss with our employees. We're open to next round of talks. The ongoing strike will continue until our demands are fulfilled," said Ashwathama Reddy.

"TSRTC management called us to talks about honouring the High Court directive. But the state government is not keen on resolving the problems of RTC employees," said Raji Reddy.

"The kind of environment during the talks might not have taken place during the discussions with enemy countries. TSRTC management from the beginning tried to blame it on the JAC for talks failure," observed VS Rao.

JAC leaders didn't return for talks: RTC MD

"We held talks on the 21 demands as High Court directed. After 90 minutes of talks, JAC leaders told us that they would resume discussions after consulting with RTC employees. But they didn't turn up, while we're waiting for them till 6:30 pm. We asked the JAC leaders to discuss on remaining 21 demands except for the merger issue. But the JAC didn't agree," said Sharma.

Sharma and Transport Department Commissioner Sandeep Kumar Sultania spoke with the media after the talks.

Responding to the allegation made by JAC leaders over seizing cell phones, Sultania said that all the cell phones had been taken. If cell phones keep ringing during the discussions, it will disturb the talks. That's the reason, phones of all those who took part in the meet kept aside."