RTC strike: Telangana government invites Unions for talks today

Amid escalating TGSRTC strike, talks led by Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka aim to resolve worker demands. Government assures dialogue while unions intensify protests over a driver’s death. Outcome of meetings expected to decide strike’s future course across Telangana

Hyderabad: With the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) strike escalating, the state government has initiated fresh efforts to work out a compromise by inviting employee unions for talks on the third day here on Friday.

The meeting, to be led by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, is expected to focus on resolving key demands that can be addressed immediately.

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According to official sources, the discussions will begin between worker union representatives and senior IAS officers including Vikas Raj, Dana Kishore and Sandeep Sultania at around 10 am. This will be followed by an important meeting with ministers, including Bhatti Vikramarka and Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had earlier appealed to RTC employees not to take any hasty decisions and assured that the government was committed to resolve their issues with sincerity.

Meanwhile, TGSRTC Managing Director Y Nagi Reddy urged employees to remain calm and avoid extreme steps. Emphasising that employee welfare remains the top priority, he said the government was taking a positive approach and is open to resolving all issues through dialogue. He also expressed hope that Friday’s meeting at the Secretariat would pave the way for a breakthrough.

In a related development, the RTC Joint Action Committee (JAC) has called for a bandh across the erstwhile Warangal district on Friday in protest against the death of Narsampet depot driver Shankar Goud. The bandh will cover Warangal, Hanamkonda, Jangaon, Mahabubabad, Bhupalpally and Mulugu districts.

Police have been deployed in large numbers across these places to prevent any untoward incidents. Union leaders alleged that the driver’s death was a result of government negligence.

The outcome of today’s talks is likely to be crucial in determining the future course of the ongoing strike.