KCR's ultimatum works as some RTC workers join duties

Hyderabad: In a setback to the RTC union leaders who have declared to continue the strike, some of the workers including drivers, conductors in the Corporation reported to the duties on Sunday as per the November 5 deadline of the Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao.

Taking Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao's ultimatum of deadline for joining the duties, seriously, some of the RTC workers reported to their depot managers on Sunday.

According to officials, the workers have reported to the duties in depots like Uppal, Bhadrachalam, Kamareddy, Hayatnagar, Dilsukhnagar, Sircilla, Karimnagar, Vikarabad and other places.

Uppal depot Assistant Manager K Keshava Krishna reported to the depot manager and said that he was joining in duties leaving out the strike as per the call given by the government.

Another assistant manager P Suryaprakash of Warangal-1 depot also gave a letter stating that he was joining duties on the government's call.

Similarly, Syed Haimat, a regular driver in Kamareddy depot, also reported to the depot manager giving an application to join the duties. Another worker, who is a conductor in Siddipet depot P Bala Vishveshwar Rao, also joined duties on Sunday.

According to the reports, one RTC driver from Bhadrachalam depot Sheshadri was allegedly beaten by the union leaders in Khammam for reporting to duties. It is alleged that the TMU leaders had assaulted Sheshadri and hurled chilli powder on his face and sent him back.

Minister Gangula Kamalakar asked the workers to join the duties stating that the opposition parties cannot benefit them.

Talking to reporters in Karimnagar, he said that the opposition parties tried to politicise RTC driver N Babu's death but did not give any financial assistance to the family.

"The workers should realise that the parties were utilising them for achieving their agenda. The workers should utilise the opportunity given by the government and join the duties," said Kamalakar.