Opposition instigating RTC staff: Satyavathi

Mahabubabad: Minister for Tribal Welfare Satyavathi Rathod said that there was a selfish motive behind the TSRTC strike. She found fault with the union leaders for instigating the employees.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, she said that the employees and their families were facing severe hardships due to strike called by the selfish leaders. Adding more fuel to it was Opposition, she added.

The Opposition leaders have been instigating the employees to continue their strike, which doesn't have people's support, she said. It is time for the employees to realise that Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao had already given them three chances to give up the strike.

The Chief Minister has increased the salaries of RTC staff by 65 per cent in the past, the Minister said, assuring that the State government will look after the welfare of the employees.

Satyavathi blamed the BJP and the Congress for instigating the employees to continue their strike. The BJP which has plans to privatise the transport sector and the Congress that never looked after the welfare of the employees in the States they ruled were behind the ongoing strike, she added.

Satyavathi said, "even though the people have rejected both the BJP and the Congress in the recent election to Huzurnagar Assembly by-election, both the parties have been resorting to mudslinging against the TRS government."

Recalling that TRS government had increased the salaries of Home Guards, Anganwadi workers etc, she said that KCR has always been generous and had a lot of concern towards the employees.

She also recalled that KCR gave more fitment to the RTC employees than their demand. The employees need to realise it and join the duties instead of listening to the Opposition parties which barely have the support of people, she said.

Mahabubabad Lok Sabha member Maloth Kavitha appealed to employees not to continue their stir further. She said that the employees need to think about their families if the strike continues. Mahabubabad Zilla Parishad Chairperson Angoth Bindhu was among others present.