Telangana announces RTC DA hike, employees get 2.1% increase

Hyderabad: Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar announced the RTC DA hike, approving a 2.1% increase in Dearness Allowance for Telangana RTC employees from January 1, 2026.

The revision increases DA from 50.7% to 52.8%. Therefore, employees will receive the enhanced allowance for the 2026 calendar year.

Authorities will release arrears for the past three months through supplementary bills over the next three months. As a result, the hike will add a monthly financial burden of ₹2.82 crore on the RTC.

Earlier, the government increased DA by 2.1% in July 2025, raising it from 48.6% to 50.7%. Now, with the latest revision, DA has reached 52.8%.

RTC DA hike raises allowance to 52.8% with arrears payout plan

Following the implementation of RPS–2017 in May 2024, no DA arrears remain pending. Hence, the minister said this revision clears the only pending DA component.

He added that authorities will release dues from January in instalments over the next three months. Meanwhile, he directed officials to expedite pending works during a review meeting with Regional Managers.

The minister said the government remains committed to protecting RTC, ensuring employee welfare, and improving passenger services. In addition, he highlighted initiatives such as hospital upgrades, compassionate appointments, reinstatement of employees, fresh recruitment, and procurement of new buses.

RTC Managing Director V. Nagi Reddy said employees had been waiting for the announcement and expressed satisfaction over the decision. He reiterated that employee welfare will remain a priority.