Telangana: CM Reddy condoles driver's death, assures family support

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy mourned the death of RTC driver Shankar Goud, who died by self-immolation during a strike. He assured support for the family and said the government is holding discussions with unions to resolve their 32 demands.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Friday expressed condolences over the demise of the Road Transport Corporation driver, who set himself on fire during a strike. According to a statement from Telangana CMO, Reddy assured assistance to the deceased driver Shankar Goud's family and said that the government is holding discussions with the TGRTC employees to resolve their issues.

"Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has expressed profound shock over the tragic death of RTC driver Kol Shankar Goud. He assured that the government will stand by Shankar Goud's family as a pillar of support and provide all necessary assistance on behalf of the government. He prayed for peace to the departed soul of Shankar Goud and for courage and strength to his family members. He conveyed deep sorrow, stating that a decision taken in a moment of fleeting anger has plunged that family into an ocean of grief. He informed that the government is holding discussions with RTC workers and will make sincere efforts to resolve their issues," Telangana CMO posted on X.

Driver Dies by Self-Immolation Amid Strike

According to Warangal Police, the bus driver had set himself on fire at the Narsampet bus depot in Warangal district. This comes amid an RTC employees' strike in Telangana and has raised 32 demands.

Government Appeals for Talks

Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said that the government is ready to agree to 29 of the 32 demands. On Thursday, the state cabinet also appealed to the RTC employees to call off their strike, inviting the unions for discussions.

Telangana CMO stated, "The State Cabinet has appealed to RTC employees to call off their strike. It has conveyed that the government is committed with a clear intent to resolve the employees' issues through discussions. It has invited the unions to come for talks. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has directed the team of ministers, led by Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Mallu, to hold discussions tomorrow (Friday) with representatives of the unions."

"In the Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister at Dr BR Ambedkar State Secretariat, there was an extensive discussion on the RTC employees' strike. The Chief Minister suggested in the meeting that the government is positively inclined toward the employees' issues and that discussions should be held with the unions," the CMO statement read. (ANI)

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