Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Tuesday appealed to Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) employees to withdraw their proposed strike, urging them to resolve their concerns through dialogue with the state government.

The minister stated that the government remains open to discussions on all employee-related issues, except matters concerning the proposed merger of TGSRTC with the government and issues related to trade unions. He reiterated that these two subjects fall under government jurisdiction and require broader policy-level examination rather than immediate negotiation.

The appeal comes a day after the TGSRTC Joint Action Committee announced an indefinite strike beginning April 22 to press for its demands. In response, Ponnam Prabhakar highlighted that recent welfare measures, including the implementation of a 2.1 per cent Dearness Allowance (DA), have already been extended to employees and that no DA arrears are currently pending.

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The minister also said the government is actively considering the Pay Revision Commission (PRC) issue for RTC employees and reiterated that worker welfare remains a key priority. He added that discussions are ongoing regarding financial and structural aspects of the corporation, including a comprehensive review of the proposed merger and the state’s fiscal position.

Ponnam Prabhakar further claimed that the state government has taken several steps to strengthen RTC operations, including the introduction of welfare schemes, reduction of pending provident fund and CCS arrears, and the addition of new buses to the fleet. He also noted that compassionate appointments have been made and further recruitment processes have been completed.

Warning against the proposed strike, the minister said it would negatively impact both the organisation and commuters at a time when RTC services are gradually recovering. He urged employees to prioritise constructive engagement, stating that the government’s focus remains on ensuring the financial stability of the RTC, improving employee welfare, and maintaining reliable public transport services.

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