Telangana Government Reaffirms Commitment to Fulfilling Promises for RTC Workers
Minister Ponnam Prabhakar has reaffirmed the Telangana government's commitment to RTC workers. He clarified that 29 of 32 worker demands are being addressed, announced an 11% salary hike, and initiated union recognition elections to ensure fair representation during the upcoming merger process with the government.
Highlights
- •Minister Ponnam Prabhakar confirmed the government is actively fulfilling promises made to RTC workers.
- •An 11% salary increase via the 2021 PRC is set to begin in July.
- •The government has initiated elections for recognized unions to ensure worker representation in merger committees.
- •Labour Joint Commissioner Sunita has been appointed as the nodal officer to manage the election process.
The Telangana state government is actively working to fulfill every commitment made to RTC workers, according to Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar. Addressing concerns regarding current labor issues, the minister emphasized that the administration remains dedicated to implementing all promised welfare and administrative measures.
Recent discussions held under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka involved approximately 30 representatives from various RTC union groups. These intensive meetings, which spanned 14 hours, were designed to reach a consensus on outstanding demands. The minister pointed out that out of 32 total demands, 29 fall under the direct purview of the RTC management, while three critical issues remain under the government’s direct authority.
Addressing Key Demands and Merger Policies
The three primary issues prioritized by the government include the 2021 PRC, the election process for recognition of unions, and the formal merger of RTC with the state government. Regarding the PRC, the government has announced an 11 percent salary increase, which is scheduled to take effect starting from the July salary disbursement.
The minister expressed concern over efforts by some union leaders to mislead workers by distorting facts regarding these ongoing processes. Specifically, he noted that although the initial demand from workers was to hold elections for the recognition of unions, some leaders have altered their stance, creating unnecessary controversy. The state government has appointed Labour Joint Commissioner Sunita as the nodal officer to oversee the election process. This initiative is vital to ensure that representative worker leaders are included in the committees responsible for formulating future merger policies.
By conducting these recognition elections first, the government aims to protect the long-term interests of the employees and ensure transparency in the merger. Ponnam Prabhakar appealed to all workers to rely on factual information rather than external propaganda. He reiterated that the administration is operating with a clear intent to support its workforce and prevent any future complications during the transition and merger of the transport corporation with the government.
Ultimately, the administration maintains that by including representatives from the recognized union in the policy-making committees, they are creating a framework that safeguards the rights of the employees. The government remains committed to its word and expects cooperation from all union leaders to facilitate these processes without further disruption to the public or the RTC operations.
