Minister to discuss JAC demands with CM, RTC

Vijayawada: Transport minister K Atchannaidu will meet Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, RTC chairman Varla Ramaiah, managing director N V Surendra Babu on January 30 and 31 to discuss the demands put forth by the RTC trade unions Joint Action Committee (JAC).

The discussions will be held following the indefinite strike date announced by the RTC trade unions on February 6 demanding the government and the RTC management to concede their demands. JAC convener P Damodara Rao, members Y V Rao, Sk Jilani and other members met the transport minister in here on Thursday and submitted a representation explaining the demands of the unions.

They requested the minister to take measures to sanction Rs.3,720 crore to the APSRTC as per the report submitted by MD and vice-chairman Surendra Babu. Responding to the requests of the JAC leaders, Atchannaidu said that he would speak to the Chief Minister and the RTC management on January 30 and 31 in order to prevent the strike by finding a solution to their problems.  The minister said occupancy rate of the buses had increased from 67 to 80 per cent due to the efforts of the staff.

On the other hand, the RTC JAC will begin the protests near the depots across the state on January 25 as announced by the leaders. The protests will be organised as part of the preparations for the indefinite strike from February 6.

The RTC employees are demanding pay hike of 50 per cent, purchase of 1,000 new buses and allocation of funds to save the public transport corporation. Strike notice was issued on December 31 and the strike date was announced for February 6.