HYDERABAD: After nearly two months of deadlock, normalcy is set to return to the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) after the state government decided to take back all striking employees.

Incidentally, November 29th also marks a significant day in the history of Telangana state formation. It was on this day Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao was arrested at Alugunoor on November 29, 2009, as part of the separate State agitation. KCR decided to launch the fast-unto-death stir at Siddipet on November 29, 2009, which later paved.

Police took him into custody and shifted him to the Khammam jail. Later, Rao was shifted to NIMS hospital in Hyderabad where he continued his fast-unto-death. As his health condition deteriorated, tensions escalated in Telangana forcing the then Union Home Minister P Chidambaram to make an announcement on December 9, to start the process to form separate Telangana.

From Friday morning the scenes from various depots across the districts of Telangana were that akin to a joyous homecoming for the 48,000 RTC employees.

RTC staff and workers were seen beaming and in a jubilant mood when they began reporting for duty, in some places from the early morning hours itself.

Pictures of drivers and conductors smiling, colleagues hugging each other in joy, some zealous staff performing palabishekham (pouring milk) to Chief Minister KCR’s portrait in expression of gratitude, are doing the rounds on social media.

Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao after the state cabinet meeting on Thursday night decided to take back all striking employees unconditionally. He also announced that the government will immediately release Rs 100 crore to the TSRTC as it wants to save the Corporation and strengthen it. He urged all the employees to join duty unconditionally from Friday. He assured them that no action will be taken against them but advised them to dump the union leaders who misled them.

About 1,500 employees had later joined the duties on the appeal by the Chief Minister. Terming the strike illegal, the government rejected all the demands of the employees. He said the state would ask the Centre to provide Rs 22,000 crore to the TSRTC in line with its 31 per cent share in the Corporation.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao decided to meet RTC employees from all the 97 bus depots across the state on December 1. Five workers from each depot have been invited to attend the meeting and ordered RTC Managing Director to provide transport facilities to the latter.
Of the five invited to the meeting, there must be two woman employees and must see the participation of employees from all the sections. He said that he will talk directly to the RTC employees after lunch hour and discuss all the problems pertaining to the RTC. State Transport Minister Puvvada Ajay Kumar, RTC Managing director, EDs, RMs, DVMs have been invited for the meeting.

Also Read: 48000 RTC Workers Can Resume Duties : KCR