Ponnam calls TGSRTC workers for dialogue

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Minister for Transport and BC Welfare Ponnam Prabhakar has appealed to TGSRTC workers to withdraw their proposed strike.The Minister said the state government is always ready to resolve the employee issues amicably through dialogue. In a statement here on Tuesday, Ponnam Prabhakar noted that matters concerning the merger of the RTC with the state government and issues related to trade unions fall within the government's jurisdiction and affirmed that the state government is prepared to discuss all other employee-related issues barring these two specific topics.

The Minister further clarified that their doors remain open at all times to listen to the grievances of employees. Ponnam Prabhakar mentioned that a decision of 2.1 percent Dearness Allowance (DA) hike has recently been taken for the RTC employees and added that currently, there is no pending DA arrears.

"The government is actively considering the issue of the Pay Revision Commission (PRC) for RTC employees. It remains firmly committed to the welfare of its employees," Ponnam Prabhakar said. He recalled that the previous government had constituted a committee regarding the merger of the RTC employees on September 9, 2023—hastily bringing the merger issue to the forefront just ten days prior to the announcement of the election schedule.

The Minister said the decision to strike was inappropriate at a time when the RTC is gradually recovering while noting that such action will cause difficulties for both the organisation and the people. Ponnam Prabhakar appealed to the RTC employees to withdraw their decision to strike and to resolve their issues through dialogue.