HYDERABAD: Even though TSRTC employees’ unions relented to some extent on their demands to call off their proposed strike, the State government sent clear signals that it was firm on its stand and would not accept their demands. With this, the deadlock over the talks between RTC Unions and the government continued on Saturday too.
When the Ministers committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister K Srihari resumed talks with the agitating RTC unions, the Union leaders proposed that they would call off their strike, if the State government announced 21 per cent Interim Relief (IR). Ministers T Harish Rao, KT Rama Rao, P Mahender Reddy and G Jagadish Reddy, held talks with the leaders of RTC unions at Ministers’ quarters in the morning.
Later, the Ministers held a meeting with Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao at Pragathi Bhavan for more than three hours. The Ministers conveyed to the Chief Minister that the RTC employees were willing to withdraw their decision to go on strike, if they were given 21 per cent IR.When, the Ministers were discussing with the Chief Minister, the leaders of RTC Unions too were available at Pragathi Bhavan. During the talks, the Ministers came out and informed the Union leaders that the Chief Minister was against the strike and not willing to give 21 per cent IR. The Union leaders reportedly told the government they were ready to drop their proposal to go on strike, if at least 15 per cent IR was announced.
With the seriousness of the issue, the Chief Minister even cancelled his earlier appointments and held prolonged discussions with the Ministers on the fate of the RTC. According to sources, the talks will resume on Sunday. The RTC Unions announced that they would go on indefinite strike demanding pay revision from Sunday midnight. It may be recalled that the Chief Minster was very angry over RTC employees issuing strike notice and even stated that if the employees went on strike it would be the last strike in the history of TSRTC.
Congress extends support to TSRTC employees
Congress on Saturday extended its support to TSRTC employees who are planning to go on strike to exert pressure on government to hike their salaries. “Congress will support the justified demands of RTC workers. The language used by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao against RTC unions was inappropriate. RTC employees played an undeniable role in the statehood movement. Now, CM is trying to threaten the employees by announcing that the corporation would be privatised. Its not appropriate for the CM to make such remarks,” Uttam said.
OTHER DEMANDS OF RTC UNIONS
All the debts of RTC should be cleared by government in single instalment
Concessions given by government should be reimbursed to RTC on a monthly basis
Motor Vehicle (MV) Tax should be abolished on RTC buses
The Value Added Tax (VAT) on diesel consumed by RTC should be abolished
Govt should announce fitment for RTC staff