Hyderabad: BRS MLA and former minister T. Harish Rao extended support to the RTC workers strike and demanded that the government resolve employees’ issues immediately.
During a visit to the Siddipet RTC depot, he expressed solidarity with workers who launched the agitation over pending demands. According to him, employees waited for over two years before resorting to protest.
Criticising Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, he said the government must recognise RTC staff as government employees. The workers, he added, are only seeking assurances made by the Congress party.
RTC workers strike intensifies over pending promises and job concerns
Harish Rao alleged that the protest reflects growing uncertainty over privatisation. Concerns have increased, he said, due to reports of private operations in Hyderabad and mounting pressure on drivers and conductors.
Referring to Andhra Pradesh, he questioned why the state government has not granted employee status to RTC staff. He also pointed to delays in fulfilling financial commitments announced earlier.
On infrastructure, he said authorities should replace old buses with new ones and recruit additional drivers to ease workload. Bringing in contract drivers during the strike, he warned, could endanger public safety.
He further alleged differences within the government leadership and accused it of neglecting workers’ welfare. Meanwhile, he said several public figures have remained silent on the issue.
The BRS leader said the party will continue to support the agitation and intensify protests if demands remain unresolved. He urged the government to act quickly and end the strike.
సిద్దిపేట ఆర్టీసీ డిపో వద్ద తమ సమస్యల పరిష్కారానికి సమ్మె చేస్తున్న ఆర్టీసీ కార్మికులకు సంఘీభావం తెలిపిన మాజీ మంత్రి, ఎమ్మెల్యే @BRSHarish గారు
ఈ సందర్బంగా మాట్లాడుతూ..
– రెండు సంవత్సరాలు అయ్యింది ప్రభుత్వం వచ్చి… కార్మికులు రెండున్నర ఏళ్లుగా ఓపిక పట్టి ఈరోజు సమ్మెకు… pic.twitter.com/ujtTpnr3iM
— Office of Harish Rao (@HarishRaoOffice) April 22, 2026