TSRTC unions begin indefinite strike in T'gana, commuters hit

Buses of the state-owned Telangana State Road Transport Corporation stayed off the roads across the state as unionswent on an indefinite strike demanding fulfillment of their demands, putting commuters to hardship.

This comes after talks between the three-member committee of the state government and the RTC unions made no headway.

The stir left hundreds of passengers stranded at bus stations across Telangana.

The employees' unions have been demanding merger of the RTC with the government, recruitment to various posts, job security to drivers and conductors, implementation of Pay Scale Revision 2017 recommendations, removal of taxes on diesel among others.

Terming the strike as "illegal," the state government had on Friday night resolved to recognise only those who report to duty by 6 pm on Saturday as RTC employees and others as giving up their jobs voluntarily. An official release alsosaid a decision was taken not to take back under any circumstances those do not report for duty by 6 pm today.

The Union leaders said they decided to go on strike after government 'failed' to meet their demands including merger of the corporation with the government.

They said several notices with regard to the strike were given to the government earlier.

Even as buses were confined to various depots in Hyderabad and across the state, the TSRTC Joint Action Committee (JAC) members staged protests on Saturday raising slogans against the state government.

Noting that alternate arrangements were being made to enable public reach their respective destinations, TSRTC officials said 30 per cent services on long distance routes was restored.

Private busses were also hired and the process to recruit drivers and conductors on temporary basis was underway, they said.

Claiming that the strike was successful, TSRTC Union leaders said, "reports that bus services are not hit due to the strike was wrong."