Hyderabad: In a major policy development that could reshape the future of public transport in Telangana, the state government has agreed to the merger of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) with the government and has also approved a 10% fitment revision for employees, bringing a breakthrough in long-pending negotiations with employee unions.
The decision follows extensive discussions between government representatives and leaders of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of RTC employees, who have been demanding structural reforms, wage revision, and job security measures for several years.
The agreement was reached after nearly 12 hours of continuous talks held in Hyderabad between senior government officials, ministers, and RTC union representatives. The marathon meeting focused on addressing long-standing grievances raised by employees and finding a workable solution to ongoing demands.
Officials confirmed that discussions covered a wide range of issues, with progress made on several of the 32 demands submitted by RTC unions. Among the most significant outcomes were the approval of a 10% fitment hike and an agreement in principle for the merger of RTC into the state government system, a key demand that has been under consideration for years.
The negotiations were led by Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, along with other ministers and senior IAS officers. Government representatives reportedly emphasized the need to ensure both employee welfare and financial stability of the transport system, which serves lakhs of commuters across Telangana every day.
Authorities also stressed the importance of maintaining uninterrupted public transport services, noting that RTC plays a crucial role in connecting rural and urban areas and supporting daily mobility for students, workers, and the general public.During the discussions, several other long-pending demands of RTC employees were taken up. These included proposals for pay revisions for 2021 and 2025, revival of union elections, regularisation of compassionate appointments, and resolution of pending service-related issues.
While not all demands were fully resolved in the meeting, officials indicated that most issues are under active consideration and may be addressed in a phased manner after further consultations.Union representatives have been pressing for these reforms for a long time, stating that delays in wage revisions and administrative decisions have impacted employee morale and financial security.
The government has described the proposed merger of RTC with the state administration as a reform-oriented step aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and service delivery. The move is also expected to enhance financial management and streamline operations within the transport sector.
The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation operates thousands of buses across the state and remains one of the largest public transport providers. Any structural change in its functioning is expected to have a direct impact on both employees and the commuting public.
Although the agreement marks a significant breakthrough, officials clarified that final implementation will require formal government approvals and administrative procedures. Detailed frameworks related to merger execution and pay revision will be worked out in the coming stages.
The announcement has been widely seen as a major step toward resolving the long-standing RTC issue, potentially paving the way for improved employee satisfaction and a more stable public transport system in Telangana.
