Hyderabad: Public transportation across Telangana came to a grinding halt on Wednesday, April 22, as employees of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) launched an indefinite strike from midnight, following the breakdown of crucial talks with the state government.
In response, the TGSRTC has hired private drivers to operate some buses. The government also arranged a limited number of hired buses and electric buses on busy routes in Hyderabad. However, these arrangements were not enough to meet the demand.
Due to the shortage of buses, many passengers were seen waiting at bus stops for long periods. The situation has created difficulties for office-goers and students who depend on public transport.
Taking advantage of the situation, private operators such as autorickshaws, cars, and other vehicles are charging high fares from passengers.
Government forms panel
The strike comes despite the Telangana government constituting a high-level committee on Tuesday, April 21, to examine the grievances of RTC employees. The move was seen as an attempt to address long-standing demands related to service conditions and workers’ welfare.
The four-member committee is headed by the Special Chief Secretary to the Transport and Roads & Buildings Department. Other members include senior officials from the Labour, Finance, and Transport departments, along with the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of TGSRTC, who will act as the convenor. The panel has been tasked with thoroughly examining all issues raised by employees and submitting a report within four weeks.
The committee’s formation came just hours before scheduled talks between employee representatives and government officials at the Dr. BR Ambedkar Secretariat in Hyderabad.
Talks collapse
Negotiations between the RTC Joint Action Committee (JAC) and the government, along with TGSRTC management, failed to yield a consensus during the meeting held on Tuesday evening.
Key union leaders, including JAC chairman Eduru Venkanna and office bearer Thomas Reddy, participated in the closed-door discussions. According to JAC members, no agreement could be reached on several long-pending demands.
These include wage revision, improved welfare measures, issues related to electric bus procurement and operations, the merger of RTC employees with the state government, and the conduct of union elections.
Following the breakdown of talks late Tuesday night, the JAC confirmed that the indefinite strike would begin at midnight.
Services hit
The strike has led to widespread disruption of bus services across the state, with RTC buses remaining confined to depots. Police were deployed at several depots to maintain law and order.
In Peddapalli district, around 150 buses were stranded, while in Husnabad (Siddipet district), workers staged protests outside the depot. In Mahabubnagar, 112 buses remained idle, with authorities arranging 16 electric buses to assist commuters.
In Hyderabad, the usually busy Koti Women’s College bus stop wore a deserted look on Wednesday morning, reflecting the scale of disruption.
TGSRTC Vice Chairman warns legal consequences
TGSRTC Vice Chairman and Managing Director Y Nagi Reddy has urged employees not to participate in the ongoing strike and warned of disciplinary and legal action.
He said as per the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, protests are prohibited while the conciliation period is underway.
Reddy appealed to staff and union leaders to ignore unofficial strike calls being circulated on media and social media platforms, and to return to duties to ensure uninterrupted public transport services.
“Let us protect TGSRTC and keep services running for the public,” he said.
Government response
Transport & BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar urged RTC employees to call off the strike, stating that it is not a solution and appealing to them to protect public services.
He said a four-member high-level committee has been formed to address issues, with a report expected in four weeks, and clarified it is not a delay tactic.
He noted that 29 of the 32 demands can be resolved immediately, while key issues like RTC merger and union recognition require further discussion. Highlighting government efforts, he said dues have been cleared, salaries regularised, and recruitments are underway, stressing that disruptions would hurt both RTC and the public.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to RTC and assured provision of a monthly financial support between Rs 300 and Rs 400 crore. “We have already released Rs 280 crore through the 2013 bonds and provided compassionate appointments to 1,134 families,” he said.
He assured that key demands such as merger, union recognition, and Pay Revision Commission (PRC) are being considered, and a committee comprising senior officers will submit recommendations on the remaining issues.
Due to the ongoing strike, frequency of MMTS and Hydeerabad Metro services has been increased to mitigate public inconvenience during the strike period.
Minister of Women and Child Welfare of Telangana, Dansari Anasuya, alias Seethakka, appealed to the striking workers to resume duties and assured them that efforts are underway to work out a solution. “We have formed a committee of high-ranking officials to look into your problems. The report will be out in a month,” she said.
“Issues such as merger with the government and recognition body elections are under technical review, she said, who is in Shillong on an official visit.
“Due to the strike, a large number of commuters, like students, women and office goers, are affected. Their lives should not be interrupted. For the people, organisation and future of all, please call off the strike,” she appealed.
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