CM KCR to decide on TSRTC future as employees ignore deadline

Only 360 out of the over 48,000 striking employees of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) returned to work on Wednesday after the final deadline set by the Telangana government came to an end on Tuesday midnight. As almost all employees continued the strike, which entered 33rd day on Wednesday, 

Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao began a crucial meeting with Transport Minister P. Ajay Kumar and TSRTC officials, amid indications that it may be the end of the road for the state-owned public transport entity.

KCR is likely to wind up RTC and offer the employees Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) as done in some other states. He had already warned the striking employees that if they failed to join duties by November 5 midnight, there will be no entity called



RTC in the state. He threatened to privatise the remaining 5,000 bus routes.

A crucial hearing in the case is scheduled on Thursday, when Chief Secretary S.K. Joshi and a few other top officials will appear before the court. The JAC leaders argue that the state government can’t privatise the TSRTC as the entity has no statutory identity. JAC convenor Ashwathama Reddy pointed out that the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) is the legal entity as it was not bifurcated after Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh.

They also argue that Telangana can’t privatise or abolish the APSRTC as the Centre has 31 per cent stake in the entity. They are pinning their hopes on the Centre and the hearing in the high court.