Revanth Reddy asks RTC unions to hold talks on merger issue

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy asked RTC unions to hold discussions and present solutions on the merger issue. He stressed cost reduction, electric buses, and employee cooperation while highlighting government support and plans for new bus terminals

Hyderabad: Throwing the ball into the unions’ court over the RTC merger issue with the government, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy asked the unions to hold discussions in a systematic manner and convey their decisions.

The government would take decisions on financial issues like Pay Revision Committee (PRC) implementation. To arrive at a permanent solution, the unions should hold discussions among themselves and present viable options to the government, he said.

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The Chief Minister held a meeting with representatives of 14 unions of TGSRTC here on Friday.

“If unions succumb to political influence, the organisation will suffer damage,” Revanth Reddy cautioned the unions’ representatives.

The government was making efforts to reduce the burden of interest payments on the RTC’s outstanding debts. Employees should cooperate with the government in strengthening and sustaining the organisation, he said.

Stating that the government had extended assistance of Rs 8,000 crore to RTC through implementation of the free bus travel scheme for women, the Chief Minister stressed that the opportunity to save RTC rests with the employees.

He said that to increase revenue, it was necessary to cut down expenditure. To achieve this, a clear and practical plan was required, he added.

Annually, RTC incurs an expenditure of Rs 2,000 crore towards diesel costs. To reduce diesel costs, electric buses should be operated on a large scale, he stressed.

“We are procuring 1,000 electric buses to establish seamless connectivity with the Metro rail network. We also intend to procure and induct mini buses into the RTC fleet,” Revanth Reddy said.

The State government allocated 100 acres of land in Gajularamaram for the construction of a bus terminal. Similarly, an international standard bus terminal would be developed on 150 acres at Shamshabad, he added. EOM