Congress demands judicial probe into RTC's affairs

Hyderabad: All India Congress Committee (AICC) National Spokesperson Dr. Dasoju Sravan on Friday demanded that the State Government order a probe by a sitting judge of HIgh court on the income, losses, assets, liabilities and other aspects of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC).

Addressing a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan, Sravan strongly condemned Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao for his statement on the RTC, its employees, their unions and the ongoing strike. He said that the State Government should release a White Paper on the assets and liabilities of RTC. While the Chief Minister claimed that the State Government has spent Rs. 4,250 crore on RTC, the unions argue that the amount was only Rs. 702 crore. He said this contradiction could be cleared only if the matter is probed by a sitting judge of High Court.

The Congress leader said that victory and defeat were part and parcel of electoral democracy. However, he said that the arrogance with which KCR addressed a press conference after TRS won Huzurngar bye-elections on Thursday was highly condemnable. He said victory of ruling party on a seat in a by-election could not be considered an endorsement of KCR's dictatorial policies. He alleged that the TRS won the elections by misusing official machinery and distributing huge cash and liquor.

Sravan said before advising the opposition parties, KCR should do a serious introspection of his own behaviour. He said the culture of purchasing legislators of opposition parties like livestock was started by KCR. Referring to KCR's displeasure and criticism on RTC strike and union leaders, he reminded that it was the KCR himself who launched Telangana Mazdoor Union and made Harish Rao it's Honorary President. He said union leaders Ashwathama Reddy and Thomas were groomed by KCR and used during the statehood movement. He said that the Chief Minister was now criticising the same leaders after his purpose is solved.

The Congress leader said that all employees and workers belonging to all sectors have a Constitutional right to form their union. He said if it was wrong for employees to associate themselves with unions, then why the Chief Minister held talks with representatives of TGOs and TNGOs. He also dismissed KCR's contention that unions were going on strike before every election. He said that the Chief Minister has already decided to privatise the RTC and now trying to blame the union leaders and workers for the same. He alleged that the Chief Minister has hatched a conspiracy to privatise RTC to get control over its invaluable assets of TSRTC.

Sravan ridiculed KCR's claim that he was an authority on RTC and he had brought the corporation from losses to profits during his tenure as Transport Minister in the united Andhra Pradesh. He said if KCR's claim was true then why he did not turn RTC into a profitable institution during the last five years and why is he now trying to privatise citing debts and losses. He said KCR's language, tone and gestures while speaking about union leaders does not suit the stature of a Chief Minister. He asked media persons to justify whether a Chief Minister was authorised to speak about union leaders in such derogatory language. He said it was common for union leaders to target the persons holding an authority during agitations.

He reminded that KCR had criticised UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and the then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh during statehood movement and even called them as 'Devil' and 'Attender'. He said despite those remarks, Sonia Gandhi and Dr. Manmohan Singh were generous enough to call KCR for talks. However, he said KCR was reluctant to call union leaders for talks to resolve the issue.

The AICC spokesperson said that the Chief Minister was disobeying the orders of the High Court on payment of September month salaries to RTC employees. He even asked whether the court would beat him if the government was unable to pay salaries. He said KCR's action and comments amounts to contempt of court and disrespect for judiciary.

He warned that if KCR continues with his arrogant behaviour, then he would meet the same fate as of MIM leader Qasim Razvi. He said it was strange that KCR, who always praises the Nizam wants to shut down the RTC, which was started during the reign of Mir Osman Ali Khan. He said the State Government has closed down Nizam Sugar Factory in a similar although its revival was among major electoral promises of TRS.