With RTC employees and few auto unions deciding to participate in the Sakala Janula Samme from Monday, it is going to be a tough time for people, particularly office-goers and students .
RTC National Mazdoor Union Telangana Forum announced that all the buses in the region, including city buses in the State capital would be confined to respective bus depots. It is an indefinite strike and all the employees in the region would participate in the strike from Sunday midnight. Apart from city buses, even private buses operating to different districts from the capital would remain off the road, said forum co-convenor K. Hanmanthu.
Though, there are some differences among auto unions over the strike, some unions have decided to go on strike. While, Andhra Pradesh Auto Drivers Unions Joint Action Committee has postponed the strike to Saturday and Sunday, Telangana Auto Karmika Sangala Joint Action Committee is observing 48-hour bandh from Sunday midnight. “We are observing bandh as part of the Sakala Janula Samme and in protest against petrol price hike. Majority of auto drivers would participate in the strike and will not operate their vehicles,” said Telangana Auto Karmika Sangala Joint Action Committee convenor A. Ravi Shanker.
Irrespective of differences among auto unions over the strike, general public would be at the receiving end. Taking advantage of the RTC employees strike and other auto unions strike, those operating their auto-rickshaws would fleece passengers by charging exorbitant fares, fumed K. Pushpa, a private employee.
However, South Central Railway is operating all the MMTS trains as per schedule and this could be a good alternative for many employees and students. APSRTC Vice-Chairman and Managing Director B. Prasada Rao appealed the Telangana employees not to go on the proposed strike from Monday. Further he added that contract buses would be operated and contract employees would be attending their duties. Based on police instructions buses would be operated.
