RTC staff intensifies protest as strike enters third day

The RTC workers have intensified their protest on the third day of their indefinite strike on Friday demanding payment of 43% fitment allowance.

The RTC drives and conductors held protest at various bus depots across Telangana and prevented the buses from coming out of depots. A conductor, Chandraiah, 42, attached with Zaheerabad Depot of Medak district, tried to set himself ablaze. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital by his colleagues.

The protest turned violent at Hanamkonda Bus Station where the management tried to operate some buses using contract drivers and conductors. At least 10 women conductors were injured when the agitating RTC workers clashed with the police personnel. TDP senior leader and MLA Errabelli Dayakar Rao also participated in the protest. The Rtc Staff raised slogans against Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and RTC Managing Director N Sambasiva Rao.

Speaking on the occasion, Errabelli demanded that the State Government accept all the demands of RTC employees as they have played a significant role during Telangana agitation. He reminded that Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao has given repeated assurances that Rtc Staff would be paid salaries and allowances on par with State Government. However, the TRS leader forgot all the promises after coming to power.

Meanwhile, the Warangal Police have imposed Section 144 in the jurisdiction of nine bus depots in the district. Massive protest was also registered in Kothagudem Bus Station of Khammam district.

The RTC workers held massive protest at several places in the State capital of Hyderabad. At Falaknuma Bus Depot, the striking employees took out a mock funeral procession of the Chief Minister.

The RTC management was able to operate 125 buses from MGBS and Jubilee Bus Station to various destinations like Medak and Siddipet using contract drivers and conductors.

Meanwhile, the management has decided to withdraw the incentives and privileges being given to union leaders. It accused the leaders of National Mazdoor Unoin, Telangana Mazdoor Union and Employees Union of inciting the workers to continue the strike despite several appeals from the management. The facilities like On Duty for union leaders and donation collected from employees' salaries have been withdrawn.