The TSRTC (Telangana State Road Transport Corporation) workers have been on the strike since October 5 with the demand of merging the TSRTC with the state government, which is something that KCR outrightly said will not happen. The unions said, “They were ready to call it off if the state government was willing to take back the 48,000-plus employees unconditionally.” Amidst this, Telangana State High Court has given the nod to the Telangana government’s decision to privatize 5,100 RTC routes, which comes as a major setback for TSRTC workers.
According to the reports available the High Court bench said that the petitioner has failed to prove the loops in the decision of state cabinet. The court also observed that the decision was as per the Section 102 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which deals with “cancellation or modification of scheme”, and states that “The state government may, at any time, if it considers necessary, in public interest, can modify any approved scheme.”
Speaking to TNM on the HC’s verdict, Professor P L Vishweshwar Rao, the petitioner in the case, said, “The court has given a verdict in favor of the government to privatize the RTC routes. I am quite disappointed with it. The court stated that they are satisfied with the government’s argument. Being a petitioner, what exactly the government submitted in the sealed cover, I am not aware of. How could I defend my case, if I don’t know the contention of the government? I will now approach the Supreme Court.”
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has earlier said, “TSRTC is having debts over Rs 5,000 Crore and Rs 2,000 Crores to be paid immediately. Apart from debts, RTC has to pay provident fund dues and required Rs 240 Crores to pay salaries of September.”
“About 2,600 old buses have to replace with news buses. The TSRTC has no financial strength to incur this expenditure. Due to economic slowdown, the state government is also not in a position bear this financial burden. Who will bare it?” added the chief minister.
The government, however, added that it is working on a permanent solution to end the problems of the TSRTC workers and to provide better transportation facilities.
CM K Chandrasekhar Rao has decided to study in detail the present TSRTC’s financial position, Court decisions and the cases still pending in the court and other related issues.
The High Court is likely to give its verdict on the privatization of the RTC routes on Friday. “The state government has decided to take a final decision after the High Court verdict and after taking into consideration all the related issues,” the chief minister added.
Meanwhile, when workers approached concern bus depot to rejoin in their duties the officials refused to take them back saying they haven’t received any instructions from higher officials.
The decision from Telangana State High Court will result in more severe outcomes. Due to the strike, the losses have already increased to ₹200 crores with at least 20 employees’ death.