Congress to raise funds for striking RTC staff: Narayana Reddy

Hyderabad: Gudur Narayana Reddy, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) treasurer, on Wednesday proposed that funds should be raised for the RTC employees, who are on strike for the last 48 days. Narayana Reddy, in a media statement, said that the RTC employees and their families were in deep financial trouble due to non-payment of salaries since September.

While announcing that he would initiate the fundraising by making first contribution, Narayana Reddy said RTC employees were fighting for their justified rights and they deserve full support from every individual, who believes in democracy.

Reddy said he would chalk out the fundraising drive in a few days and the amount collected could be handed over to the unions for distribution among employees. "Many RTC employees have not paid their rents, school or college fees for their children or EMIs of various loans since September. They are also unable to take care of basic healthcare costs and many families might not be having money to bear the expenses for food, he mentioned.

He also urged the banks and other financial institutions to keep the loan accounts of all RTC employees in suspension mode. "Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao's inhuman attitude has pushed thousands of employees into huge debts and ruined their personal lives. This will turn into a big human tragedy if immediate measures are not taken," he stated.

The Congress leader exuded confidence that the RTC employees would win the legal battle and get justice. Till that happens, he said everyone should support them in whatever way they could to ensure that they get support for basic needs.