RTC WAGE HIKE

Kudos to Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao for granting 44 per cent fitment to RTC employees ( RTC staff get pay hikes, call off stir, May 14). But this gives a message to employees of other departments that demands can be met only through strikes. That is not good for any government. The government must institute a mechanism for examining employee demands.

Mohammad A. Hussain

Hyderabad The demand for a 43 per cent hike in wages is too much as it comes to nearly 50 per cent. This is not right. If the government agrees to this bus fares will go up. Now the CM has hinted at a bus fare hike. The burden of this hike will fall on the poor, the middle class and students.

K.B. Trilok Chand Rathore

Secunderabad The way the RTC strike was called off after eight days of miseries for the common people was ridiculous. If the government was ready for 44% fitment why was it not accepted in the beginning itself. It was sad to see governments allowing the public to suffer. I hope the courts will step in to protect public interest.

Mohd. Abubaker Siddiq

Hyderabad The competition among the two Telugu states to meet the demands of striking RTC employees is unethical. The hikes of 43% and 44% despite losses of `208 crore cannot be justified. The burden is finally going to fall on the public. I hope the Centre will step in to protect the interests of the public.

K.P. Mohan Mathew

Secunderabad The RTC staff called off their strike after achieving what they wanted. The unions are not bothered about the RTC’s losses. Now our CM is going to hike bus fares. The time has come for all trade unions to mend their ways and cooperate with governments. If not the public will have to join hands to fight the unions.

S.S. Pillai