RTC strike: CM rules out any more concessions

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, OCT. 20. The Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, today outrightly refused to make further concessions to the agitating employees of the APSRTC more than what the Government had already agreed upon.

The demand for providing salaries on a par with the NGOs was not possible as it would entail more expenditure to the Government, he said, adding that he would not like to burden the people further with a fare hike, which was the only option left in case the Government acceded to their demand.

Talking to newsmen here, Mr. Naidu said the APSRTC was incurring heavy losses and the Government was keen to `save the organisation' at any cost. ``We are doing our best. We have decided to give Rs. 100 crores in lieu of concessions offered to different sections. What more can we do?'' he asked.

The Chief Minister said the APSRTC was ``one of the best run organisations in the country and employees should cooperate with the Government to turn it around.'' He deplored that the Left parties were supporting the stir and said if the ``employees allowed outside interference, they would be the losers in the long run.''

Our Special Correspondent writes: No solution seems to be in sight on the sixth day of the strike and the JAC had accused the Government of scheming to privatise the corporation in a methodical manner. The Chief Minister has flatly denied the charge.

The Opposition parties are stepping up the protest expressing concern over what they termed as subtle moves to privatise it. The CPI State secretary, Mr. S. Sudhakar Reddy, addressing a press conference, said the stubborn attitude of the Government only indicated that it was not interested in reviving the fortunes of the Corporation.

Wage agreement was a must and the Government could not possibly avoid this condition. Instead, to accuse the Opposition or the JAC of nurturing political motives was unwarranted.

The JAC leaders - Mr. B. Rama Rao, Mr. P. Ram Mohan Rao and Mr. R. Laxmaiah - announced that they would intensify the stir and hold meetings at all 213 depots on Monday to explain to the workers as to why the talks failed.

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Section  : Southern States
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