The union representing employees of the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has made a significant appeal to the state government. They are requesting the removal of mandatory identity card verification for women passengers who are availing free bus travel under the popular Stree Shakti scheme.
Union's Argument for Simplifying the Process
In a formal representation submitted to the state Transport Minister, Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy, on Thursday, the union leaders put forth their case. They argued that the requirement for women to show Aadhaar or other ID cards during their journey is creating an unnecessary burden. The union stated that the number of women from other states using RTC buses to exploit the scheme is negligible.
They believe that removing this verification step would significantly ease the workload for bus conductors. This would allow them to focus more on service and safety. Furthermore, the union emphasized that relaxing the ID rule would make the welfare scheme more effective and user-friendly. This move is expected to win wider public acceptance and help the government earn substantial goodwill among women passengers across Andhra Pradesh.
Demands for Fleet and Staff Expansion
Alongside the request on ID verification, the union presented a set of demands crucial for the scheme's success. To ensure the effective implementation of Stree Shakti and improve overall public transport, they have pressed for a major strengthening of the RTC. Their key demands include:
- Adding at least 3,000 new buses to the existing RTC fleet.
- Recruiting 10,000 new employees to fill the current vacancies across various roles.
The union leaders believe that these steps are essential to handle the increased ridership and maintain service quality under the free travel initiative.
Appreciation and Further Appeals
During the meeting, the union officials also expressed their gratitude to Minister Reddy for a separate positive development. They thanked him for the issuance of Government Order (GO) 58. This order has restored the provision of alternative employment or monetary benefits for employees who are declared medically unfit. This facility had been withdrawn during the tenure of the previous government.
Building on this, the union sought justice for a specific group of 177 employees. These individuals were declared medically unfit before the corporation's merger and had previously applied for employment opportunities for their children. The union hopes their cases will be reviewed favorably.
The meeting was attended by key union figures including President P Damodar Rao and Secretary Narasaiah, among others.
