K. Chandrashekar Rao, the Chief Minister of Telangana, announced a few benefits for Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) employees.
On the 1st of December, Mr. Rao interacted with 5 TSRTC employees from 97 bus depots across the State. During the meeting organised at Pragati Bhavan, KCR heard the issues faced by the TSRTC employees and discussed solutions for the same.
KCR announced employment security for the employees, increased the retirement age from 58 years to 60 and stated there would be no privatisation of bus routes across Telangana.
After interacting with the RTC employees, KCR directed the Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and the Members of Parliament (MPs) of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) to travel by TSRTC buses once every month.
In addition, the TRS Government also promised to allocate an amount of Rs. 1,000 crores to the RTC from the next Budget.
KCR also assured the employees the Government would give them their salaries, including that of the 2 months when the employees were on strike. The salaries would be credited to 48,800 employees on the 2nd of December.
KCR lashed out at the trade unions in Telangana and said, “Unions are responsible for the present position of the RTC. We will not conduct any elections for the recognised unions for the next two years.”
Mr. Rao also announced a compensation of Rs. 2 lakhs and a suitable job would be given to a family member of workers who committed suicide or died due to poor health during the TSRTC strike.
Mr. Rao said, “Purchasing the ticket is the responsibility of the passenger. Further, the management will not take action on the conductor.”
Concerned about women’s security, KCR announced to end shifts for women workers at 8:00 P.M., and also directed officials to provide toilets, changing rooms and lunch rooms individually for women at every depot.
In addition, women employees would also be given maternity leave, child care leaves and other health services under the State Government schemes for the TSRTC employees.
The State Government would also provide free bus pass facility to the parents of the workers and fee reimbursement to the workers’ children.
Telangana Transport Minister Puvvada Ajay Kumar, RTC Managing Director Sunil Sharma and other senior officials were present during the meeting.
The TSRTC employees expressed happiness about the announcement of State Government’s sops for the employees and thanked KCR for the welfare measures.
