Telangana government has toughened its stand on its striking employees of the State owned Road Transport Corporation, TSRTC and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao announced that there will not be any talks with the striking unions of the Corporation. After a high level review meeting held in Hyderabad last evening, the Chief Minister announced that the government will not compromise on its stand and is firm on not to take back the employees who did not join the duties before the deadline set by it. About 50 thousand workers and employees are striking their work for the past two days demanding merger of the corporation into the Government and also fulfil the assurances given to them earlier bringing the RTC operations in the state to a standstill. The Chief Minister further said there are only 1200 employees (Twelve hundred) left in the TSRTC as of now.
The Chief Minister further directed the officials to hire 2,500 buses as an immediate measure while another over 4 thousand private buses could be deployed as stage carriers. Officials concerned were already holding discussions with the private managements in this direction. The officials have also been directed to take up speedy recruitment of drivers and only such employees who give an undertaking that they will not join in union activities should be given appointments.
The government also announced that steps are being taken to ensure that the total fleet strength comprised 50 per cent of TSRTC-owned buses and the remaining from private to recover the corporation from the losses.
Meanwhile, condemning the government stand on the striking employees, the Joint Action Committee of the workers unions demanded for merging of the TSRTC in the Government and called for fast un to death in Hyderabad. Meanwhile, all opposition parties expressed solidarity with the Striking RTC workers and demanded the Government to resolve the issue and fulfil all assurances given to workers.
On the other hand, the RTC strike entered third day today and passengers are facing severe problems as over 10 thousand Corporation buses confined to only depots following over 50 thousand of TSRTC workers strike their work.
