RTC strike: Govt rules out talks

The Andhra Pradesh government toughened its stand further on the RTC strike, which entered the second day today, by categorically stating that there was no scope for any more discussions with the trade unions.

The government's stand is expected to rattle the striking unions as the alternative arrangements undertaken by it to ply buses are reportedly yielding positive results.

"There is nothing more to discuss with them as the government has already announced a Rs 500-crore package to support the corporation. The government cannot be held to ransom," chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy said here on Wednesday. He expressed the confidence that in the next couple of days the government would be able to restore 100 per cent bus services across the state.

According to the figures provided by the road transport commissioner's office, the number of buses being plied on Wednesday increased to 77 per cent from 53 per cent on Tuesday. The joint action committee of RTC unions has been demanding implementation of several measures to shore up the financial condition of the corporation and a pay hike for its employees. The strike is being backed by all the opposition parties including the Left.

The chief minister said that the government was prepared to continue with the alternative arrangements till such time as the unions rethink about the strike. A couple of days ahead of the scheduled strike, the state government issued a warning to invoke the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against the striking employees.

APSRTC has 1.19-lakh workforce and a fleet of 19,500 buses. Meanwhile, the state High Court today dismissed a public interest litigation, which sought its intervention in ending the strike. In view of the strike, the South Central Railway has introduced six long-distance and four short-distance train services in the state.