Telangana HC directs govt to negotiate with striking TSRTC employees

The Telangana High Court on Thursday directed the state government to hold discussions with the striking employees of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) to resolve the matter. According to reports, the court has expressed its displeasure and has posted the case for hearing on November 11. The Joint Action Committee of TSRTC Employees' Unions, Ashwatama Reddy, stated that the senior officials of the government visited the High Court. He said, "The court said that the affidavit which was filed by the officials in RTC employees issue is bogus."

BJP slams KCR

According to reports, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has slammed Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and stated that he should "hang his head in shame" for the number of harsh statements made by the High Court against the government. According to the Chief Spokesperson of BJP in Telangana, K Krishna Saagar Rao, "the Chief Justice has stated that in his 15 years of service, he has not seen any government as incredible as this one." He further stated that Chief Justice has "exposed lies" dictated by CM Rao in an indirect manner. He further added that the High Court directive has "once again vindicated BJP's stand right from the beginning that KCR's government is brazenly lying about everything to everyone, including the honourable high court."

Read: TSRTC strike: Only 400 RTC employees resumed duties post CM's warning

About the strike

The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) strike has been going on over a month now. The employees started a strike on October 5. The Transport Corporation Joint Action Committee has been demanding for the merger of the Regional Transport Committee with the Telangana government. They are also asking for the prohibition of electric buses. According to reports, ever since the beginning of the strike, more than 2,000 busses have remained grounded in the State. After the TSRTC employee, Srinivas Reddy, who died after allegedly immolating himself, protests also broke out in different parts of the city and other places, with employees raising slogans and holding the state government responsible for his death. Further, the employees are also blaming the government for not taking any action even after two TSRTC employees have died. 

Read: Telangana: 70,000 students sign up for the Indian Red Cross Society

Earlier, the Chief Minister's office had warned the TSRTC staff that they will not be taken back if they fail to resume duty. However, only around 400 Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) employees of the total 50,000 resumed their duties on Tuesday even after the deadline. 

Read: KCR: 'No merger of TSRTC with Telangana government on any condition'

Read: BJP on TSRTC strike: 'Telangana CM KCR has lost grip on state'

(WITH ANI INPUTS)