Telangana gears up to tackle RTC strike

The State government initiated measures to make alternate arrangements to avoid any inconvenience to people during the Dasara festival season with TSRTC employees sticking to their stand of going on an indefinite strike from Saturday.

The TSRTC management issued orders to regional managers to hire drivers, conductors, and mechanics among others on daily wage basis to continue with the bus services without any interruption.

The TSRTC management has invited eligible drivers and conductors to work on a temporary basis during the strike period. Interested persons have been asked to report to the office of respective RTC regional offices with their original certificates between 8 am and 1 pm on Friday. Drivers must have original licence along with experience of at least 18 months driving heavy motor transport vehicles. Conductors must have passed SSC or equivalent examination. Drivers and conductors will be hired on a daily wage of Rs 1,500 and Rs



1,000 respectively. Besides original certificates of qualification, they also must produce their Aadhar cards.

Similarly, retired RTC staff are also being hired on a temporary basis and have been asked to appear before the depot or regional manager in their respective localities. As per the orders, retired supervisors will be paid Rs 1,500 per day, while retired mechanics and clerks will be paid Rs 1,000 each per day.

Meanwhile, the three-member IAS officers committee held talks with the representatives of Joint Action Committee (JAC) of TSRTC employees and workers for the second consecutive day here on Thursday. 

However, the talks remained inconclusive with the RTC staff insisting on the State government announcing a time-bound commitment to resolve their demands, while the committee could only promise to resolve the issues after submitting its report to the State government.