Merger of RTC with govt impossible, says Telangana CM

Hardening his stand, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Thursday ruled out merger of ailing TSRTC with government as demanded by striking employees and indicated more buses would be hired to meet requirements of commuters.

Hitting out at leers of employees unions of RTC over 20-day old strike, he accused m of throwing corporation into dire straits by putting forth more demands despite staff being given a 67 per cent hike in salaries.

Rao stuck to his stand that strike was "illegal" as Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) was alrey in force.

With RTC alrey incurring heavy losses (Rs 1200 crore per annum), demands of striking employees cant be fulfilled and corporation cant continue way it existed prior to stir, he told reporters here.

He asserted that demand of employees' unions to merge RTC with government was impossible to be fulfilled.

ting that RTC does t have equate funds, he said it also lost ditional income during Dussehra festival season due to agitation.

Slamming union leers, he claimed it was "a strike, borne out of cheap union politics... y mselves (leers of unions) are making RTC sink (by ir actions). body in world can save it... It's a gone case."

Observing that 67 per cent pay hike was given within four years, Chief Minister sought to kw what more demand remained.

"Is this a tamasha? Anybody comes (and says) merge us with government Is it so easy?" he asked.

Rao said re were 57 corporations and what would happen if ors were to make a similar demand once RTC was merged with government.

Extending an olive branch, Chief Minister said RTC staff and officers were efficient and he would t find fault with m, ding it would be in ir best interest if y came out of influence of unions.

Those who wish to join duty should approach concerned authorities.

If necessary, state government would hire 5,000 to 6,000 ditional buses to cater to travelling public, he said.

government h earlier said around 10,500 vehicles including 3,000 buses from RTC's fleet and about 2,000 private buses besides vehicles from educational institutions were being operated daily across state to ensure that commuters were t put to hardship.

Recalling his stint as a Transport Minister in undivided Andhra Presh, Rao said he h sympathy for corporation.

Different employees and workers unions of TSRTC began indefinite strike from October five across Telangana on a call given by JAC of TSRTC, demanding merger of RTC with government and recruitment to various posts, among ors.

Ruling out discussions with agitating unions, TRS government h said employees stir was "illegal" as it caused immense inconvenience to public.

Telangana High Court h on Friday last directed RTC and employees to hold parleys and settle all ir disputes before October 28.

Following court directives, government has decided to examine demands or than merger of Corporation and a committee

or demands are being studied by a committee of RTC officials at present.

Responding to Rao's statement, employees' union leer Aswathama Reddy said it was t appropriate for chief minister to speak in a manner, which amounted to 'insulting' workers.

It was same workers who supported Rao during separate Telangana agitation, Reddy said.

Claiming that Rao h n assured merger of RTC with government, he accused him of going back on his promise.