BRS demands reinstatement of Jagtial RTC driver who spoke for farmers

BRS leaders in Kothagudem condemned TGSRTC officials for removing driver Ashok from service after he highlighted farmers’ issues during a protest. They argued his remarks were civic responsibility, not political, and demanded his immediate reinstatement.

Kothagudem: The district BRS leaders have strongly condemned reported orders issued by the TGSRTC officials removing an RTC hire service driver from service for highlighting the plight of the farming community in the State.

It might be noted that the driver Ashok of Jagtial, when Minister Adluri Laxman and Congress MLAs were staging a protest in Jagtial recently against the hike in petrol and diesel prices remarked that the government should prioritise purchasing paddy and maize.

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Speaking to the media here on Tuesday a senior BRS leader Bathula Srinivas stated that driver Ashok neither insulted anyone nor made any political remarks; he merely requested that the farmers’ issues should be addressed first.

Speaking up about farmers’ issues was not a transgression; rather, it was a civic responsibility. The driver’s removal would have severe psychological and financial distress to the entire family. The RTC officials should withdraw the removal orders, Srinivas demanded.

The BRS BC Cell leader Bhupati Srinivas Rao said that in a democracy, everyone possesses the right to question. It was undesirable to punish employees in public service simply for voicing their concerns about farmers.

It was sad that the government that failed to procure maize and paddy in time was targetting those who were questioning it. The driver Ashok should be reinstated to his duties immediately, he demanded.