After suicide bids by RTC drivers, Revanth directs Ministers to hold talks with unions
The TGSRTC strike intensified after two drivers attempted suicide in Warangal and Khammam, prompting the State government to initiate talks with unions. With bus services disrupted across Telangana, commuters face hardship as employees continue agitation over unresolved demands
Hyderabad: Suicide bids by two RTC drivers — one at Narsampet depot and another in Khammam — amid the ongoing strike by TGSRTC employees across the State has forced the State government to invite the agitating unions for talks. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy directed the Ministers concerned to hold talks with the RTC unions on Friday.
These directions were issued during the Cabinet meeting held here on Thursday. Led by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, the Ministers have been directed to hold talks with the RTC unions, who are continuing their strike for the second day in the State.
Stating that the government was positive towards addressing the concerns of RTC employees, the Chief Minister appealed to them not to take any decisions in haste.
“By sacrificing lives, issues will not get addressed. The government is committed to addressing the unions’ issues,” Revanth Reddy said.
Self-immolation bid
The second day of the indefinite strike by RTC employees took a serious turn after a bus driver allegedly attempted suicide by self-immolation at the Narsampet bus depot in Warangal district on Thursday.
The driver, identified as Shankar Goud, is said to have poured petrol on himself and set himself ablaze, reportedly anguished over what workers described as the government’s indifferent attitude towards their demands.
His co-workers at the spot responded swiftly, rushed to his rescue and doused the flames. Goud suffered nearly 70 per cent burns and is currently undergoing treatment at MGM Hospital, where his condition is said to be critical.
Meanwhile in Khammam, a TGSRTC driver D Linga Reddy (50) , working at the Bhadrachalam depot in Kothagudem district allegedly consumed pesticide to end his life as a mark of protest against the Congress government’s failure to address the workers’ demands.
Family members shifted him to a private hospital in Khammam, where his condition is said to be critical. Local RTC union leaders expressed anguish at the negligent attitude of the government towards the striking workers.
Indefinite strike enters second day
The second day of strike continued to severely impact bus services in Hyderabad and other parts of the State. A large number of buses remained stationed at depots, leaving commuters stranded and struggling to find alternative transport, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
In several places in Hyderabad, private transport operators, including auto-rickshaws and cabs, reportedly charged steep fares, making money on the surge in demand. Passengers faced long waits and overcrowding at major transit points.
The strike, which began from Tuesday midnight after talks with the government failed, has seen participation from thousands of RTC employees. With a fleet of over 9,000 buses catering to nearly 55 lakh passengers daily, the disruption has had a widespread impact on public mobility.
Stepping up the agitation, the JAC had called for a ‘Maha Dharna’ at bus depots and workshops across the State on the second day. JAC Chairman E Venkanna urged workers to continue the protest until their demands were met.
Union leaders alleged that the government and RTC management have adopted an insensitive and rigid approach towards the agitation, ignoring the concerns of employees. They criticised the official statements claiming that most demands had been addressed, stating that key issues remain unresolved.
They also stated that discussions with the government-appointed committee did not yield concrete results. Key demands include implementation of the 2021 pay revision with the proposed fitment, opposition to the operation of electric buses in Greater Hyderabad, and concerns over recent employee transfers.
On the other hand, TGSRTC Managing Director Y Nagi Reddy appealed to the employees to withdraw the strike, stating that the management had already responded positively and set up a committee of IAS officers to address the issues. He warned that continuing the strike during proceedings before the Labour Commissioner could invite legal consequences.
With no solution yet, uncertainty continues over the restoration of normal bus services. While the corporation faces mounting daily revenue losses running into several crores, commuters continue to bear the brunt of the ongoing strike.
