The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Talks on RTC stir inconclusive

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 30, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Talks on RTC stir inconclusive

Staff Reporter

Major demands conceded: Minister

HYDERABAD: The third day's talks between the Government and the Joint Action Committee of Trade Unions in the State-owned Road Transport Corporation ended inconclusively.

The Cabinet Sub-Committee comprising Ministers S. Santosh Reddy (Transport), Konathala Ramakrishna (Commercial Taxes) and Jakkampudi Ramamohan Rao held discussions for about two hours with the JAC representatives led by B. Rama Rao of the Employees Union and others.

At a press conference later, Mr. Santosh Reddy said the talks had been adjourned for July 1 because they had reached a stage where consultations were needed with the Finance Minister, K. Rosaiah, on the financial implications of the decisions which the Government might take on the employees' demands.

He said the two major demands of the unions -- reduction of motor vehicle tax and total reimbursement of concessions given to different sections of society had already been conceded and orders issued.

Action plan

However, the issue of the Government taking over the Rs. 1,350 crores of accumulated losses and the Rs. 1,400 crores of institution loans of the corporation needed in-depth consideration before a decision could be taken.

The Commercial Taxes Minister said the Congress Government was committed to undoing the damage wrought to the corporation by the erstwhile Telugu Desam Government in the nine years of its rule.

"We are working on a comprehensive action plan which will put the RTC back on the road to recovery and profits," he said.

Speaking to The Hindu , B. Nageswara Rao of the Transport Mazdoor Sangh said the employees were confident and very hopeful of achieving their demands.

But, in case the Government did not relent, they were left with no choice other than going ahead with their planned strike from July 4.

Earlier, Mr.Ramakrishna briefed the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, on the status of the talks when the latter returned from New Delhi.

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