Hyderabad: Mines and Labour Minister G. Vivek Venkataswamy on Wednesday said the Telangana government remained committed to resolving legitimate RTC workers issues and protecting employee rights and welfare.
Addressing an RTC workers’ get-together at Nagole, Vivek said employee welfare and organisational development needed to progress together. “Justice for workers boosts productivity and improves organisational performance,” he said.
The Minister said the Congress government had taken several measures to strengthen the RTC and improve employee welfare. He said the corporation had filled 4,584 new jobs. In addition, steps had been taken to fill 2,000 posts through compassionate appointments, Vivek said.
RTC workers issues include PF dues and recruitment
Vivek said the government had initiated measures to clear outstanding dues owed to RTC employees. These included Provident Fund arrears payable to the workforce. He also appreciated drivers, conductors and other RTC employees for implementing the “Mahalakshmi” scheme. The programme provided free bus travel to women across Telangana.
Meanwhile, Vivek recalled his personal association with RTC services. He said he had travelled on Route No. 137 from Chikkadpally during his medical college days. According to the Minister, those journeys gave him an opportunity to personally observe difficulties faced by RTC drivers and conductors.
Vivek also recalled his involvement during the 2019 RTC strike. He said he had visited several depots with TSRTC leader E. Ashwathama Reddy and extended support to employees. His support had also included RTC workers in the Peddapalli Parliamentary constituency, he said.
On RTC union elections, Vivek said the government would honour its earlier commitment to conduct the polls. He said steps would be taken to complete the electoral process expeditiously. The Minister also urged employees to support leaders who consistently raised RTC workers issues.
“Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Minister Ponnam Prabhakar and I will work together to resolve the issues faced by RTC employees,” Vivek said. He further assured employees that the government remained accessible to them. The administration would address their legitimate demands and work towards resolving outstanding welfare concerns, he added.