Hyderabad, Apr 17 (TNT) : Artisans of the Transmission Corporation of Telangana Limited (TRANSCO) on Friday called off their indefinite strike following the intervention of Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, who directed officials to initiate discussions with the corporation’s top management on their demands.
The Deputy Chief Minister assured employees that he would take up their concerns with TRANSCO Chairman and Managing Director D Krishna Bhaskar.
The Telangana Vidyuth Artisan Employees Joint Action Committee (TVAEJAC) had launched the strike on April 8, citing unresolved issues including regularisation of services and a pay hike.
Amid the agitation, TRANSCO on April 15 issued a warning to striking employees, stating that failure to resume duties by 11 a.m. on April 16 would result in termination.
The notice invoked provisions of the Telangana Essential Services Maintenance Act, along with the Industrial Disputes Act and the corporation’s standing orders.
The state government had already imposed a six-month ban on strikes in power utilities under TESMA, effective from February 25 to August 24.
TVAEJAC Chairman Satish Reddy announced the withdrawal of the strike after union leaders met the Deputy Chief Minister at Praja Bhavan earlier in the day. The Deputy CM assured that the issues would be resolved through dialogue.
Artisans JAC Convener Sailu thanked the Deputy Chief Minister for his positive response and for facilitating discussions with senior officials.
Addressing the gathering, Bhatti Vikramarka urged employees to perform their duties in a manner that earns public trust. He noted that with electricity demand peaking during the summer and a strike ban in force, sudden industrial action was not appropriate.
He emphasised that disputes can be resolved through dialogue and said the government is considering the artisans’ concerns from a humanitarian perspective.
The Deputy Chief Minister reiterated that the government remains open to discussions with electricity unions and is committed to resolving their grievances. He added that the TRANSCO CMD would hold talks with the Artisans JAC to address issues that can be resolved without imposing additional financial burden.
Among those present at the meeting were MLC Addanki Dayakar, Artisans Co-Chairman Chandrar Reddy, and other representatives.
TNT TS
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