Telangana Minister Urges RTC Staff to Call Off Strike, Assures Dialogue on Employee Issues

Hyderabad, April 2026 : Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Tuesday appealed to employees of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation to withdraw their proposed indefinite strike, assuring that the government remains open to resolving their concerns through dialogue.

In an official statement, the minister reiterated that the state government is committed to addressing employee grievances in a constructive and amicable manner. However, he clarified that certain matters—specifically the merger of TGSRTC with the government and issues related to trade unions—fall strictly within the government’s jurisdiction and are not open for negotiation at this stage.

Despite these limitations, Prabhakar emphasized that the government’s doors are always open to discuss all other employee-related concerns. His appeal comes in response to the recent announcement by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of TGSRTC employees to launch an indefinite strike from April 22 in support of their demands.

Highlighting steps already taken for employee welfare, the minister pointed out that a 2.1 percent Dearness Allowance (DA) has recently been implemented, with no pending DA arrears remaining. He added that the issue of a Pay Revision Commission (PRC) for RTC employees is currently under active consideration, reaffirming the government’s commitment to improving staff conditions.

Providing context to the ongoing concerns, Prabhakar noted that the previous administration had constituted a committee on September 9, 2023, to examine the merger of RTC employees with the government. He remarked that this move was made just days before the announcement of the election schedule, leaving little time for meaningful progress.

He further explained that the election timeline—including the announcement of polls on October 10, voting on November 30, and results on December 3—followed swiftly after the committee’s formation. Although the present government assumed office on December 7, the enforcement of the election code continued until June 6 due to the subsequent Lok Sabha elections, limiting the government’s ability to address pending issues immediately.

The minister also highlighted key reforms introduced by the current administration to strengthen the RTC. Within 48 hours of taking office, the government launched the ‘Mahalakshmi’ scheme, which provides free bus travel for women and has significantly boosted RTC services. As a result, the corporation—once facing uncertainty—now has more than 90 depots operating profitably.

Prabhakar stressed that the government prioritizes three critical areas: safeguarding the RTC as an institution, ensuring the welfare of its employees, and maintaining convenience for passengers. He underscored the need for a comprehensive committee study to evaluate organisational, financial, and employee-related aspects before making any decision on the proposed merger.

Appealing to employees to reconsider their strike decision, the minister warned that such action at a time when the RTC is recovering could adversely affect both the organisation and the public. He noted that continued progress depends on cooperation between the government and employees.

Citing further improvements, Prabhakar said that Provident Fund arrears have been reduced from ₹1,205 crore to ₹600 crore, while CCS arrears have been brought down from ₹690 crore to ₹300 crore. Additionally, 2,978 new buses have been introduced, and 1,134 individuals have been provided jobs on compassionate grounds. Recruitment processes have also been completed, with new employees expected to join soon.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, the minister urged employees to avoid disruption and instead engage in dialogue to resolve outstanding issues for the benefit of all stakeholders.