‘I am with you’: TS governor invites protesting TSRTC staffers to Raj Bhavan for talks

Hyderabad: Responding to the protests by the TSRTC employees in Hyderabad on Saturday, Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan assured them that she is keen on protecting the welfare of employees, including timely processing of pending PRCs, EPF, gratuity, and leave encashment dues of the employees. “A whole lot of retired employees are suffering and they are sending representations about these issues,” she said.

The governor invited them to the Raj Bhavan to hear their grievances. “There is no personal or political interest involved in withholding my consent for introducing the TSRTC Bill,” she said. Among other things, the bill would bring 43,000 TSRTC employees into the state government’s fold.

The governor said, “I am pained to know about the strike by the RTC employees, which is creating inconvenience to the common public. I want to convey that I am always with the RTC employees, even during your previous strike. I was with you and heard your grievances, even in late hours."

“I am with you all,” the governor said. “My only concern is to protect and safeguard the interest of the TSRTC employees and the organisation in the larger public interest.”

“More than Rs 3,000 crores of employees’ welfare cooperative society’s money, taken by the government, is yet to be returned,” the governor said. “I am completely in favour of the RTC employees,” she reiterated. “If they really get benefited, I am absolutely in their favour. I wanted the employees’ interest to be fully protected.”

‘Raised 5 concerns’

The governor said that she had sent a letter to the government seeking clarification on five concerns of the draft bill. She said that she was concerned that the bill should not be introduced haphazardly and sufficient time should be given to all the parties concerned to debate the provisions thoroughly.

Tamilisai Soundararajan further added, “I appeal to the employees and all the parties concerned to study the bill in detail and look into the provisions with greater scrutiny.”

“I am here to assure all employees I fully commit to the implementation of democratic processes in protecting the public interest. Once I receive a reply from the government, I will take suitable action on the bill to ensure and safeguard the interest of the employees.”

Govt forced strike, says governor’s office

According to the press communique released by Raj Bhavan, “During the video conference, one of the JAC representatives informed the governor that the employee unions had not given any call for the strike. They said that it was completely government-sponsored and forced and that even the women employees were not spared.”

In addition, the communique stated, “They (TSRTC employees) were threatened and forced to give a strike call and organise the ‘Raj Bhavan Seize’ program. Some MLAs and a minister had orchestrated this dharna program.”