Uncertainty over RTC merger as Govt gives mixed signals

metro india news I hyderabad

Conflicting signals from the state government regarding the future of RTC employees have intensified uncertainty among workers, with no clear resolution yet emerging. Employees and union representatives say recent developments suggest significant differences of opinion between the Chief Minister and the transport department over whether RTC employees should be merged into government service or whether union elections should be held first. 

The issue resurfaced recently after Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, during a review meeting with senior officials from the Transport Department and RTC, reportedly instructed authorities to initiate preparations for conducting union elections. The directive has reignited debate among employees and labor organizations.

During negotiations to end the RTC strike, a ministers’ committee assured labor unions on April 24, 2026, that union elections would be conducted and that representatives of the recognized union would be included in an official committee overseeing the merger process. Following these assurances, labor unions withdrew their strike, believing that union elections would soon take place and pave the way for the merger process.

However, the situation took an unexpected turn during a May Day meeting between Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and representatives of RTC unions. At the meeting, the Chief Minister reportedly asked unions to choose between two options: proceeding with the merger first or holding union elections first. 

In response, union representatives submitted a written preference stating that the merger of RTC employees into government service was their top priority. Since the Chief Minister himself sought their choice, many union leaders believed that the merger process would move forward directly, without being linked to union elections.

Delay fuels discontent

Nearly two months later, employees say there has been little progress on either front. Neither the merger process nor union elections have moved forward, leading to growing dissatisfaction among RTC workers. Employees argue that they initially accepted the ministers’ committee proposal because it offered a roadmap involving elections, representation in official committees and a time-bound merger process. 

This has led workers to question why the Chief Minister sought their preference if the government intended to proceed with union elections regardless. Many employees say they believed the merger would take precedence after they formally conveyed their choice to the Chief Minister. However, the Transport Minister’s latest directive to prepare for union elections has once again cast doubt on the government’s plans. 

Labor representatives are now questioning whether the government genuinely intends to merge RTC employees into government service or whether differing views within the administration are causing delays. According to employee groups, the apparent gap between the Chief Minister’s position and the Transport Minister’s recent statements suggests that a consensus has yet to be reached within the government. Until a definitive policy decision is announced, uncertainty surrounding the future of RTC employees is likely to persist.