TSRTC employees blame the government for not taking any action

The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation strike entered its 11th day on Tuesday, October 15. Transport Corporation Joint Action Committee has been demanding for the merger of the Regional Transport Committee with the Telangana government. They are also asking for the prohibition of electric buses. Ever since the beginning of the strike, more than 2,000 busses remain grounded in the state. 

Protests also broke out in different parts of the city and other places, with employees raising slogans and holding the state government responsible for Srinivas Reddy's death. At many places, the striking employees and workers observed silence and later took out protest rallies and raised slogans like 'Srinivas Reddy Amar Rahe'. The employees and their families have also been blaming the government for not taking any action even though 2 TSRTC employees have died so far. 

"State govt isn't taking any step, employees have died but they're least bothered. We're asking for the merger of TSRTC with govt. If it's privatised, there'll be a lot of trouble," the protestors said.

READ | Telangana: CPI joins striking TSRTC employees, announces solidarity

KCR on TSRTC strike

Reacting to the strike by the TSRTC employees, Telangana CM KCR on October 12, said the 48,000-plus Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) who are currently on strike will not be taken back, "come what may". According to a statement from the Telangana CM,  "KCR also instructed officials concerned to appoint required employees to run 50 per cent of the TSRTC buses, take 30% of buses on hire and give stage carriage route permits to 20% private buses".

READ | Telangana: KCR office lodges complaint over alleged 'fake audio clip'

State Government's warning to employees

The State government had earlier released a statement warning the TSRTC employees to not participate in the strike and confirmed those who are caught involved in the strike will be terminated. As per the government order, employees who report to the bus station on or before 6 pm on October 6 will be considered as RTC employees and others who report post 6 pm will be considered 'self-dismissed'. 

READ | Telangana: TSRTC employees launch strike a day ahead of Dussehra

READ | TSRTC Strike: Another employee hangs self to death amid mass protests