HYDERABAD: Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Wednesday urged TGSRTC employees to immediately call off their strike, stressing that the public transport system is a “lifeline” for the rural poor.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, the minister said RTC services cater to nearly 65 lakh passengers daily, including about 40 lakh women who depend on buses for work, education, and healthcare needs. Disruptions to services, he said, would severely impact vulnerable sections of society.
He stated that the government is ready to resolve 29 out of the 32 demands raised by employee unions and discussions are ongoing on the remaining three issues. “We have constituted a committee of senior IAS officers and held discussions for over five hours. Walking out midway and proceeding with the strike appears to be part of a larger conspiracy,” he alleged.
Taking a dig at opposition leaders, including BRS supremo and former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and former minister T Harish Rao, Prabhakar accused them of encouraging the strike to undermine the government’s flagship Mahalakshmi scheme. He said attempts were being made to discredit the scheme and create inconvenience for women passengers.
He reiterated that the government has been proactive in addressing employee concerns, citing measures such as Rs 280 crore disbursed under 2013 bonds, compassionate appointment of over 1,100 individuals, and job opportunities for more than 250 dismissed workers. He added that efforts are underway to reduce workload and improve working conditions within the framework of labour laws.
The minister also clarified that the introduction of electric buses under central government schemes would not result in job losses. “Around 2,000 electric buses are being allocated to Telangana out of 14,000 nationwide to reduce pollution, and not a single RTC employee will be removed because of this,” he clarified.
Reiterating his appeal, Prabhakar said, “RTC is the backbone of affordable transport for the poor. Do not be part of any conspiracy to weaken it. Call off the strike unconditionally, we are committed to resolving all issues.”