APSRTC Union Demands Swift Resolution of Pending Issues

Quick Summary

• The APSRTC Employees’ Union celebrated its 74th anniversary in Vijayawada.
• Andhra Pradesh JAC Chairman Bopparaju Venkateswarlu highlighted the union’s role in achieving the merger of APSRTC with the State government, a historic move finalized in 2020 after efforts starting in 1952.
• The merger initially suspended several benefits like incentives and compassionate appointments, which were resolved after a joint agitation spanning 92 days during the previous government’s tenure.
• Recent representation to M. ravi Chandra, Secretary to CM, sought resolution of remaining issues concerning Public Transport Department employees’ welfare.
• Concerns raised included pending dues, absence of Interim Relief (IR), delayed pay revisions (12th Pay revision Commission), promotion delays exceeding six years, and dissatisfaction among employees over workforce management policies.
• P. Damodar Rao of APPTD Employees’ Union demanded exclusive RTC staff operation for proposed electric buses and called for notable recruitment (10,000 employees) and fleet expansion (3,000 buses) for successful implementation of free bus travel schemes for women.
• Additional demands included restoration of medical services via referral hospital systems, clearance of gratuity/leave encashment dues for retirees, job security improvements for outsourced workers, among others.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The celebration highlighted persistent challenges within public transport employment structures despite key milestones like the APSRTC-State government merger achieved five years ago. while timely salary disbursals are commendable, unresolved matters such as delayed promotions exceeding six years or pending pay revisions can demoralize personnel whose roles are central to public mobility infrastructure.The demand to ensure RTC staff exclusively operate incoming electric buses represents concerns over private sector encroachment on public sector operations-a sensitive area pivotal for employment rights protection while modernizing transport initiatives such as free bus rides for women.Recruitment needs-10K personnel augmentations plus fleet expansions-signal critical operational bottlenecks that might affect gender-centric schemes or sustainability post-electric bus deployment if left unaddressed early via proactive budgetary provisions/planning phases ensuring workforce readiness balance innovation capacities equally invaluable amidst practical viability ahead across India’s transit eco-systems projecting equity/smooth transitions reliance measures adequately inclusive safeguards remain paramount unanswered/unfolded equitable further!rnrn