Copyright thehindu
Leaders of the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) Employees Union (EU) have urged the authorities to address key issues affecting employees and the effective implementation of the Stree Shakti scheme. In separate representations submitted to RTC Chairman K. Narayana Rao and Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Ch. Dwaraka Tirumala Rao on Tuesday, the union’s State president P. Damodar Rao and general secretary G.V. Narasayya said that the existing fleet and manpower were inadequate to sustain the scheme in the long run. They pointed out that drivers and conductors were under severe strain as many buses were overcrowded, carrying between 100 and 150 women passengers, well beyond their capacity. “In such conditions, conductors are being penalised or even suspended by depot managers for minor lapses found during inspections,” they said, urging that this punitive approach be stopped. The leaders emphasised the need to induct at least 3,000 additional buses and 10,000 new staff members to ensure smooth operations. They requested that these issues be discussed at the RTC Board meeting scheduled for Wednesday and that urgent corrective measures be taken. Referring to the long-pending financial and administrative grievances of RTC employees, they urged the Chairman to take up these matters with the State government. Their demands include the settlement of pending financial and non-financial issues, release of dues related to the abolished Staff Retirement Benefit Scheme (SRBS) and Staff Benevolent Thrift (SBT) fund, payment of 46 days of pending overtime wages and night halt allowances, release of Employees Provident Fund (EPF) dues for employees shifted to the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), completion of pending compassionate appointments, provision of employment to a family member of employees declared medically unfit, restoration of referral-based medical treatment as many were not receiving adequate care under the Employees Health Scheme (EHS), and allocation of office space along with restoration of all benefits and concessions to recognised unions within the Corporation. The union leaders have also appealed to the government to reimburse the approximately ₹250 crore monthly expenditure incurred by the Corporation towards free bus travel for women beneficiaries under the Stree Shakti scheme without delay. They said the scheme, launched on August 15 as part of the TDP-led coalition government’s Super Six initiatives, had received widespread appreciation. To ensure its success, RTC officials and staff had been working tirelessly. However, the failure to release funds on time was making it increasingly difficult for the Corporation to continue operations smoothly, they cautioned. They reiterated their plea to clear the pending Stree Shakti reimbursement dues and to ensure timely monthly payments to sustain the scheme and relieve financial pressure on the Corporation.
