TSRTC JAC plans 'million march'

Reiterating that their strike would continue till all the demands were met, the RTC JAC on Thursday called upon the protesting employees to prepare for a ‘Million March’ to press for their demands.

Addressing a meeting of RTC workers christened ‘Sakala Janula Samarabheri’ at Saroornagar stadium, RTC JAC convenor, Ashwathama Reddy exhorted the employees to be ready for a massive protest on the lines of ‘Million March’ if the government refused to address their demands. The public meeting organised at the Saroornagar stadium after the Telangana High court gave the go ahead, saw leaders of all Opposition parties addressing the gathering.

Ashwathama Reddy announced that a 24-hour ‘deeksha’ would be organised on Thursday and asked every employee to take part in it. “The fight will continue till RTC issues are resolved and no threats and hurdles created by the government will stop us,” he said adding that even though government had not paid salaries, the employees did not climb down from their position.

Accusing the State government of not being keen to find an amicable solution, Malkajgiri MP, A. Revanth Reddy, asked the government to make it’s stand clear on the demands. “Why is the



government unable to merge TSRTC with it,” he said while pointing out that RTC was forced to run in loses by increasing VAT on diesel, operation of hired fleet and bus passes. Reddy requested the protesting employees not to attempt suicides.

The strike would continue until the demands were met and if required ‘Million March’ would be taken up on Tank Bund, said Prof. Kodandaram of Telangana Jana Samiti party. He appreciated workers for striving hard to save RTC and its properties for the last 26 days. He said the RTC bus fares were not hiked for a long time, though the diesel prices shot up from Rs 45 to Rs 75 a litre. This had pushed the RTC into losses, he added.

CPI leader, Chada Venkat Reddy asked the government to initiate discussions with the employees without delay while keeping their demands in the ambit.

BJP leader, A.P.Jithender Reddy said privatisation of RTC could fetch some profits in the cities but would end up throwing miseries for passengers in the rural areas. L.Ramana of TDP asked the employees to remain confident on achieving their demands. V. Hanumantha Rao of Congress and Manda Krishna Madiga and others addressed the meeting.