RTC Strike: BJP, Cong support RTC employees' strike in Telangana

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress on Monday have extended ir support to ongoing strike by Ro Transport Corporation (RTC) employees demanding its merger with state government in Telangana. However, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, on or hand, has maintained his stand to t eng in any talks with employees on an indefinite strike in state.

" only mistake RTC employees me was going on a strike, which is a constitutionally provided right of employees. state is completely out of funds and in a bankrupt state and he is eyeing RTC lands, which are worth lakhs of crores," BJP Chief Spokesperson Krishna Sagar Rao said. He also said that re is a conspiracy behind Chief Minister's decision.

Senior Congress leer and ex-MP V Hanumanth Rao has said that Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) led-state government should settle matter inste of threatening to terminate ir services. " state government has t fulfilled demands of RTC employees for several years. w that y have gone for strike, authority has t paid ir salaries and government is threatening to terminate ir services," he said. 

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Telangana Majdoor Sang President Maram Reddy Thomas said that sacking over 50 thousand RTC employees is a black spot on public order. "We have continued strike since last three days and our aim is to save Telangana State Ro Transport Corporation (TSRTC). Our main demands are to bring new busses into RTC and remove private buses because y are running in losses. But government is igring our demands," Thomas said. 

" Inste Telangana government said that y are removing 58,533 RTC employs. This is a black spot on public order. state government takes Rs 1,000 crores from RTC every year in form of taxes but y are t allowing any amount to save RTC," he ded. 

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Petition filed challenging strike

A writ petition has also been filed in Telangana High Court challenging ongoing strike by RTC employees. vocate PV Krishnaiah moved a house motion in court and filed a writ petition seeking a direction to unions to forthwith call off ir strike and restore ir duties immediately. 

petition also sought a direction constituting an independent committee to see demands of RTC employs with consultation of government. state of Telangana, however, has opposed interim relief sought by petitioner stating that state government has taken all measures in providing substitute transport facilities. A division bench of High Court has slated matter for hearing on October 10 and directed all RTC depot manrs to submit a report by that time.

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Protest demanding RTC & Government merger 

Different employees' and workers' unions of TSRTC began an indefinite strike on Friday midnight across Telangana following a call given by Joint Action Committee of corporation, demanding merger of RTC with government and recruitment to various posts, among or things. Indicating its firm stand against strike, state government h earlier said stir was illegal and set 6 pm on October 5 as a deline for agitating employees to report for duty. 

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(with ANI inputs)