'T' talks hit dead-end, strike on

The talks have failed and the situation has reached a flashpoint from where only an aggressive posture appears to be heading for its logical, though unwarranted, end.

The dillydallying over talks and the adamant attitude of both the parties as a consequence to the failed negotiations has further resolved the proponents of the Telangana statehood. As things stand, it is certain that strike call given by the Telangana Joint Action Committee (T-JAC) of employees will commence tomorrow.

It may be recalled that a strike notice was given by the T-JAC leaders even as two rounds of talks between representatives from the Committee and the State Government came a cropper. Not to be caught as a weak party, the government has decided to call a spade, a spade following which it has sounded a `no further talks’ notice. To make its stance tougher, it has decided to implement GO 177 against all employees who would join the strike and stay away from their work.

T-JAC members have, however, intensified their threats and are hell bent on ensuring that that they would put immense pressure on the government till a final a word on the State bifurcation issue is issued.

In view of the roadblock hit on the T issue, the Group of Ministers on employees met the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy here today and discussed at length the irritants cropping up and steps to be taken to thwart the strike.

Meanwhile, it was decided to make alternative arrangements to ensure that the administration would not come to a grinding halt because of the strike. The government will press retired officials into service and outsource staff man essential services, including APSRTC, PDS, medical and health services, municipal, water works and power sector services.