RTC staff upset over parent health exclusion

RTC workers allege that parents are provided treatment only for minor ailments at the Tarnaka hospital, while surgeries or serious medical conditions force families to spend large amounts from their own pockets in private hospitals

metro india news  I hyderabad

Allegations of discrimination in the TGSRTC health system are drawing criticism as corporate medical treatment under referral hospitals is reportedly unavailable for parents of RTC employees. While government employees in several departments receive corporate healthcare benefits for their parents through health cards, RTC workers say the same facility is denied to them.

Employees, particularly drivers and conductors, say they are unable to provide advanced treatment to their aging parents despite serving the corporation for decades. Under the present system, corporate medical services are limited to employees, spouses and children, excluding parents from referral treatment in private super-speciality hospitals.

TGSRTC has around 37,360 employees and nearly 9,600 retired staff. Workers with common ailments are expected to use RTC dispensaries in districts and, if facilities are unavailable, visit the RTC hospital at Tarnaka in Hyderabad. Referral treatment to corporate hospitals is permitted only if Tarnaka RTC hospital doctors recommend it. However, these benefits are restricted to employees and immediate dependents.

Employees allege parents receive treatment only for minor ailments at Tarnaka, while surgeries and serious illnesses force families to spend heavily at private hospitals. Union leaders said RTC employees’ parents had access to medical services during 1989 and 1990, but the facility was gradually withdrawn. They argue employees who work tirelessly for the corporation deserve healthcare security for their parents as well.

The issue has gained attention amid the Telangana Employees Accountability and Monitoring Bill introduced by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, focusing on parental care and welfare. RTC workers argue that while the government speaks about responsibility toward parents, they continue to face discrimination in healthcare benefits.

Reports suggest RTC management is considering a proposal to deduct a small annual amount from employees’ salaries to create a medical fund for parents’ treatment, though unions allege the decision is being delayed.

RTC JAC Chairman Eeduru Venkanna demanded immediate referral treatment for employees’ parents in private hospitals and removal of the existing ₹4 lakh treatment cap for retired employees. RTC NMU leader Narender said workers are emotionally distressed when they cannot admit parents to corporate hospitals during emergencies and urged the management to approve healthcare coverage for parents.