The general strike in the Telangana region will continue, as the talks between the state government and the employees' unions have failed.
However, softening their stand on the Telangana issue, the employees' unions have agreed to withdraw the strike provided the government accepts their new demands.
The Telangana Employees Joint Action Committee, which had repeatedly claimed earlier that it will not withdraw the strike until the formation of a Telangana state, on Wednesday softened its stand and insisted that the state government "pressurise the centre for the formation of a Telangana State".
Similarly, the JAC also demanded that the state government withdraw the cases booked against the on-strike employees, lift the ESMA, and cancel the GO 177 that deals with the "No Work No Pay" Rule.
The JAC also demanded action against West Zone DCP Stephen Ravindra for his alleged involvement in the
attack on JAC chairman Swamy Goud.
In response to the invitation sent by the government, the representatives of the employees' unions, led by JAC chairman Swamy Goud, came to the state Secretariat to hold deliberations on the withdrawal of the Sakala Janula Samme, which entered 30th day on Wednesday.
However, neither the Cabinet Sub-Committee nor the JAC had any clarity on the agenda for the discussion.
Soon after reaching the Secretariat, the JAC leaders handed over their list of demands, and walked out without holding discussions.
Later, talking to media persons, Swamy Goud said that the employees were always ready for talks but that it was only after one month of strike that the government had invited them. He said that on one hand the government was inviting the union leaders for talks and that on the other hand they are being booked under various cases. He said that now the ball is in the government's court as the JAC has handed over its list of demands to the Cabinet Sub-Committee.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy told media persons that the Cabinet Sub-Committee would convey the JAC's demands to Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy. He requested the JAC to withdraw the general strike since the Centre has begun the process of consultation on Telangana.
Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha, Revenue Minister N Raghuveera Reddy and Road & Buildings Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao were also present. (INN)