TRS never promised RTC's merger with State Govt: Ajay Kumar

Hyderabad: Transport Minister P. Ajay Kumar on Saturday clarified that the Telangana Government never announced the privatisation of State Road Transport Corporation (RTC). Further, he claimed that the TRS had never promised the merger of RTC with the State Government. This was neither included in the party's manifesto nor Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao made such a promise orally.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, the Transport Minister said that the strike has been forcefully imposed on passengers and State Government. He asked BJP and Congress to explain whether RTC was merged with the government in the States where they are in the ruling. Condemning BJP, he said BJP Government at one side was privatising trains and railway stations. But in Telangana, it was opposing the government alleging privatisation of RTC. He accused the opposition leaders of making false and misleading statements. He asked whether leaders of opposition parties did not understand the difficulties being faced by the people due to strike.

Ajay Kumar claimed that on Saturday as many as 7,358 buses were operated. He said the temporary staff was being hired and soon all buses would be operational.

Meanwhile, the strike by RTC employees entered eight-day on Saturday. Protests were held all across Telangana State.