Ponnam Prabhakar urges RTC employees to withdraw strike, assures action on demands

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar urged RTC employees to withdraw their strike, assuring that most demands would be resolved. He said a committee is reviewing key issues, while warning that disruption of bus services would inconvenience lakhs of daily passengers.

Hyderabad: Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Wednesday appealed to RTC employees to withdraw their ongoing strike, stressing that disruption of public transport was not a solution and would only inconvenience lakhs of daily passengers.

In a statement, the minister said the government has already constituted a four member committee of senior officials to address the concerns raised by employees. The panel has been given four weeks to submit its report, and he assured that there would be no delay tactics under the guise of committees.

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According to the minister, out of the 32 demands raised by RTC workers, the government has no objection to 29 issues and is ready to resolve them immediately. The remaining two key demands including merger of RTC with the government and conduct of union recognition elections, require further technical examination. These will be discussed with the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister after the committee’s review.

Highlighting steps taken by the government, Prabhakar said pending dues such as the 2017 PRC, dearness allowances, and earlier bonds have been cleared.

Provident Fund dues have been significantly reduced, and regular monthly payments are being made. Recruitment of 4,538 shramiks and 1,134 compassionate appointments are also underway, he added.

The minister noted that RTC services are a lifeline for rural and poor passengers, with around 65 lakh people using buses daily, including 45 lakh women.
He urged workers not to disrupt services, saying protests can be held democratically without impacting the citizens.