PNS|Hyderabad
The strike call given by TGSRTC employees has been postponed. The government appointed a committee consisting of three IAS officers to solve employees’ problems.
Amid mounting concerns over the proposed strike by RTC employees, representatives of unions under the RTC JAC met Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Tuesday and brought their issues to his notice.
The meeting, held at the secretariat, was facilitated by CPI state secretary and MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao and MLC Prof. Kodandaram, who accompanied the union leaders in their appeal to the government. During the interaction, the union leaders highlighted the long-pending demands of workers, stressing the need for immediate resolution to avoid disruption of services.
Responding to them, Minister Ponnam Prabhakar assured that the government remains committed to the welfare of RTC workers and passengers alike. He urged the unions to put off the strike and promised that the issues would be taken up.
He said the matter would soon be discussed with the Chief Minister and brought to the Cabinet for a final decision.
He explained that under the Congress government, the TGSRTC had seen positive steps towards revival.
“Unlike the BRS admin, which weakened the corporation, we have taken steps to put the TGSRTC back on track through the Maha Lakshmi scheme and other reforms,” he said.
Ponnam shared details of the financial commitments made to the TGSRTC so far. The government paid Rs 400 crore towards bonds pending since 2013, implemented the 2017 pay scale with 21 per cent fitment despite a yearly burden of Rs 412 crore, cleared Rs 1,039 crore to the PF organisation, and ensured monthly PF contributions since January 2024.
Similarly, Rs. 345 crore was paid towards pending CCS dues, which are also now being paid regularly.
The government has also taken up compassionate appointments for 1,500 dependents of deceased employees and sanctioned 3,038 new posts. New buses were procured, and the Tarnaka Hospital has been upgraded into a super-speciality facility.
