Hyderabad: Telangana Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Tuesday urged RTC trade unions to reconsider their strike plans, stressing that the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) is gradually recovering and heading towards profitability.
Speaking to media, the minister said the government is fully prepared to resolve the issues faced by RTC employees and that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s administration is committed to people-centric governance. “Any problem can be addressed through dialogue. The government is ready to talk and solve issues amicably,” he assured.
He highlighted the sacrifices made by RTC workers during the Telangana movement, emphasising that the state was achieved in part due to their struggle. “But we have also witnessed what happened in the last 10 years – how RTC was systematically weakened,” he said.
Ponnam noted that the current administration has already taken concrete steps to revive the corporation. “We have initiated compassionate appointments, converted Tarnaka RTC Hospital into a super speciality facility, cleared pending dues like TA and DA, started new recruitments, and are purchasing new buses,” he listed.
The minister outlined three core focus areas of the government regarding TSRTC: passenger convenience, employee welfare, and organisational sustainability. He said striking at this stage would create unnecessary hardship for the public and employees alike.
“Two key issues raised by the employees are already under the Chief Minister’s consideration. We are open to discussions,” he reiterated, appealing to trade union leaders to act with restraint. “This is not the time for a strike; it is a time to safeguard RTC’s future.”
He also cited financial reforms undertaken by the government, including reducing pending PF liabilities from ₹1,562 crore to ₹600 crore and clearing CCS dues. Plans are underway to ensure employees receive retirement benefits on the very day of retirement.
Acknowledging that some dues remain pending with banks, the minister stressed that the survival of the organisation is the top priority. “The government wants to see 40,000 RTC families thrive. We are moving forward with the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister’s proactive and positive leadership,” he said.
Recalling his own role in the Telangana agitation, Ponnam said, “As a Telangana activist, I remember shouting slogans like ‘Naychelega bus ki payya’ back then. Today, I urge you not to let RTC come to a halt.”
Appealing emotionally to the workers, he concluded: “You are like family. I request you all – please don’t go on strike. Let us protect RTC with mutual cooperation.”
