RTC Employees Get DA Relief, Arrears to Be Cleared in Phases

Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Friday announced a key decision in line with the government’s commitment to the welfare of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (RTC) employees, stating that a 2.1% Dearness Allowance (DA) hike has been approved.

He said the long-pending demand of employees was addressed after discussions with the Chief Minister, and the decision would provide significant relief to drivers, conductors, mechanics, and other staff who have been contributing to the organisation’s services while steering it towards profitability.

The Minister clarified that the DA has been increased from 50.7% to 52.8% , with effect from January 1, 2026 . He noted that this revision would financially benefit thousands of employee families.

Addressing arrears, Ponnam Prabhakar stated that the DA dues for January to March would be cleared over the next three months through supplementary bills , with payments made in installments. He also recalled that a similar 2.1% DA hike was granted in July 2025 , highlighting the government’s continued commitment to employees within a short six-month interval.

The Minister revealed that the DA hike would impose an additional financial burden of approximately ₹2.82 crore per month on RTC. Despite financial challenges, the government proceeded with the decision recognising employees’ efforts. He further noted that after the implementation of RPS-2017 in May 2024 , there were no pending DA dues, and the current release addresses the only remaining pending component.

On organisational development, the Minister said instructions have been issued to officials to expedite pending development works on a war footing . He stressed the need for modernisation of bus stations , improved depot maintenance, and better passenger amenities, assuring that there would be no shortage of funds .

Describing RTC as the “lifeline” of Telangana , Ponnam Prabhakar said the government is prioritising not only salary enhancements but also upgradation of RTC hospitals, improved medical services, and compassionate appointments . He added that employees who were previously dismissed due to service-related issues have been reinstated through a trimen committee , reflecting the government’s humanitarian approach.

Acknowledging that the Mahalakshmi scheme providing free travel for women has increased workload on staff, the Minister assured that new recruitments would be undertaken to ease the burden. He also said the process of procuring new buses has been accelerated, replacing outdated vehicles with modern ones.

The Minister urged employees to utilise the financial incentive from the DA hike to work with greater dedication and help bring RTC closer to the public. He called for courteous behaviour towards passengers and collective efforts to make the organisation profitable, expressing confidence that Telangana RTC would emerge as a leading transport system in the country .