Government committed on RTC merger, says Ponnam Prabhakar

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said the Telangana government remains committed to merging RTC with the government and will form a committee with union representatives and officials. He also announced early union elections and criticised former MP Balka Suman over alleged remarks on damaging public assets

Hyderabad: Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said the State government remained committed to merging RTC with the government and announced that a committee comprising representatives of recognised unions and officials would be constituted to initiate measures for the merger. As part of the process, elections for recognised RTC unions would be conducted at the earliest, he said. Instructions had already been issued to the RTC management to expedite the election process.

Speaking to media persons here on Wednesday, the Minister said several issues had emerged after APSRTC was merged with the government in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. The Telangana government was therefore striving to ensure that no such complications arose after the merger process in the State. Accordingly, representatives of recognised unions and officials would be included in the proposed committee. He said these plans had also been discussed during previous meetings.

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“If employees suddenly change their opinion and insist on the declaration of the appointed day immediately, it is not wise on their part. The government has not changed its stand and employees should raise their concerns or demands through their union representatives,” Prabhakar said.

Referring to the suspension of an RTC driver who reportedly demanded that the government focus on paddy procurement, the Minister clarified that the individual was not an RTC employee but a contract worker engaged for a hired bus.

“The local officer acted in haste on a complaint and wrote a letter seeking suspension of the driver. The driver did not commit any crime. The RTC management has been instructed to transfer the officer immediately,” he said.

The Minister also found fault with former BRS MP Balka Suman for allegedly appealing to people to damage government assets, including railway tracks. He said the railway police should register a case against the former MP and urged Congress leaders in Chennur constituency to lodge a complaint with the railway police.