High Court adjourns hearing on privatisation of RTC

Hyderabad: Telangana High Court has adjourned hearing on privatisation of TSRTC routes to November 12. The State government submitted all relevant documents in the affidavit including cabinet decision on privatisation of routes before the court as sought by the division in the earlier hearing. The court turned down the demand to declare the strike as illegal.

Chief Secretary SK Joshi accompanied by the RTC officials submitted the affidavit on State government's assistance to the crisis hit corporation. The official made it clear that the RTC will not overcome the financial crisis by the State's help alone.

State Advocate General BS Prasad informed the court that the privatisation of RTC was a policy decision as the cabinet also approved the same. The RTC workers have gone on strike despite the government's request to come for a dialogue to resolve their demands.

The government counsel requested the court to announce the RTC strike illegal as the transport services comes under Essential Service Maintenance Act (ESMA).

The court declined to give any orders against the strike and made it clear that without issuing orders under ESMA, the services will not be considered as essential services. The State government also urged the Court to allow it to take action against the striking workers under Industrial Disputes Act but the judges rejected.