Bhadrachalam RTC depot driver critical after self-immolation bid in Khammam

A TGSRTC driver in Khammam attempted suicide by consuming pesticide, adding to a spate of similar incidents by striking RTC workers across Telangana. With three drivers attempting to end their lives in a single day, union leaders accused the Congress government of neglecting its promises to merge RTC with the state administration.

Khammam: In an alarming development a striking TGSRTC driver attempted suicide at his residence in Khammam on Thursday even as an RTC driver who attempted self-immolation at Narsampet has been fighting for his life.

The driver, D Linga Reddy aged around 50 years and was working at Bhadrachalam depot in Kothagudem district was said to have consumed pesticide to end his life as a mark of protest against the Congress government’s failure to address the workers’ demands.

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His family members shifted him to a private hospital in Khammam for treatment and his condition was said to be critical. The local RTC union leaders expressed anguish at the negligent attitude of the government towards the striking workers.

Speaking to Telangana Today, SC/ST Employees Association Kothagudem depot secretary P Varaprasad complained that it was sad that three RTC workers were compelled to end their lives in a single day to get their rightful demands fulfilled.

One driver in Khammam and another one in Warangal were fighting for their lives while a driver Venkanna in Nalgonda was saved from harm with timely action by his colleagues when he attempted self-immolation. The State government should respond immediately and address the workers’ demands, he said.

RTC Employees Union state secretary Guduru Satyanarayana and Bhadrachalam RTC JAC chairman Barla Ramana Rao complained that the police during midnight hours, removed a tent they erected near Bhadrachalam RTC depot entrance gate to stage their protest.

The Congress party which came to power by securing the RTC workers support during the elections has now forgotten its promise to merge the RTC with the government and was even disregarding the Government Order (GO) issued by the previous BRS government, they alleged.