RTC talks make no headway

Hyderabad: The attempt to hold talks between TSRTC employees' JAC and the Corporation officials proved to be a damp squib. The employees, who hoped to see some light on the eve of Diwali, will continue to be in darkness as the indefinite strike would continue.

The employees' JAC alleged that the government had convened this meeting only to tell the court that they have followed the court's direction and blame the employees of having boycotted it.

The officials, on the other hand, said that they were ready to discuss 21 demands, but the union leaders have left the meeting saying that all 26 issues should be there on the agenda.

According to RTC in-charge Managing Director Sunil Sharma, "they had called the employees for talks as per the court's direction and had listed 21 demands for discussion.

But the employees wanted that all 26 demands be included. When they were informed about the court order mentioning only 21 demands, they said they would discuss with their colleagues and come back, but they failed to return to the negotiation table."

He said the official committee waited in the meeting hall till 6.30 pm. However, alleging that the government was not serious about the talks, the employees said: "Only Special Chief Secretary (Transport department) Sunil Sharma and Transport Commissioner Sandeep Kumar Sultania were present on behalf of the government to hold talks. No one from the TSRTC was present. All Executive Directors who should have participated in the meeting were kept out of the talks."

The JAC leaders further said that when a delegation of 10 members of the JAC went for the talks, the police stopped them and said that only four could participate in the meeting. The four members were frisked, and they were asked to deposit their cell phones with the police before going in for the talks, they added.

TMU (Telangana Mazdoor Union) general secretary Ashwathama Reddy said that they had placed 26 demands before the government. But the officials said that only non-financial matters were on the agenda. "The talks were held in an unhealthy atmosphere and the court directions were not followed," he said. "The High Court instructed the government to address the main demands first. But the government ignored it," he added.

RTC Employees Union general secretary Raji Reddy said the government had tried to interpret the court orders in their favour and the talks were only an eye wash.

Staff and Workers Union leader VS Rao alleged that the union leaders were treated like 'offenders' during the talks. The officials neither shared any information nor clarified the government stand on ther demands. The leaders, however, said that they were still willing to go for talks if a proper agenda consisting of all-important demands were taken up for discussion.

"How many demands the unions will agree to drop for present and how many demands the government will accept can be discussed, if talks were held in a proper form," he said.

JAC leaders said that they would present the minutes of the meeting before the court. The government also said that they too would be present not only the minutes but full recording of the discussions that took place inside the meeting hall before the court.