RTC Strike: Crucial Announcement on Nov 2 ?

[Anta Assamey]

27-day-long RTC strike has crippled the public transportation in Telangana. With days passing, neither government nor RTC unions are stepping back thus complicating the issue with each day. While the High Court too asked both the parties to hold talks keeping the public inconvenience in mind and hasn't passed any harsh orders, the deadlock is continuing in the RTC strike.

The latest development is CM KCR is all set to make a crucial announcement on RTC issue on 2nd November. Telangana state cabinet is going to convene an important meeting at 3 PM on Saturday to discuss and pass an order pertaining to RTC strike. CM KCR is expected to make an announcement and cabinet is likely to approve KCR's decision. The state government has already indicated that it plans to bring private stage carriers to avoid public inconvenience in lieu with the ongoing strike.

According to government's plan, only 50 percent of RTC owned buses would run. While 30 percent should be hired buses, the remaining 20 percent buses should be private stage carriers. As part of it, the TS government has already increased the hire buses from existing 26 percent to 30 percent by adding 4 percent hire buses. Now, giving permissions to the Private Stage Carriers is due.

Already, CM KCR has announced that Private Stage Carriers could be permitted based on PM Modi's recommendation to provide better transportation to people. TS government is planning to permit the Private Stage Carriers in 4000 to 5000 routes across the state including Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Apart from this the government is also thinking on proposals to integrate the road transport with Hyderabad Metro and how to use the services of Setwin buses. Telangana State Cabinet would take crucial decisions on Nov 2nd.

Now, all eyes are on CM KCR's announcement on Nov 2nd since 48,000-plus employees and their families are at stake.