Transport Minister Denies RTC Driver Ashok Was Removed from Duty

Hyderabad: Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Tuesday dismissed media reports claiming that RTC driver Ashok had been terminated for voicing concerns about delays in paddy procurement. The minister characterized such accounts as entirely inaccurate.

Prabhakar clarified that Ashok did not work as a direct employee of the state transport corporation but rather was employed by a private bus operator contracted to provide services. Despite this distinction, the minister stated that the government had explicitly directed the bus owner to ensure the driver remained on the job under no circumstances.

The minister accused certain groups of attempting to weaponise the matter for political gain. He maintained that the government remained receptive to constructive feedback and practical recommendations aimed at benefiting the farming community.

Addressing the procurement situation, Prabhakar noted that the state machinery was actively engaged in paddy procurement operations across all districts. He attributed delays to the volume of crop arrivals exceeding initial projections.

In response to ongoing concerns, the minister announced that the government was expanding the network of procurement centres to accelerate the process. He further contended that inadequate cooperation from the Centre had compounded the challenges faced by procurement authorities.

Prabhakar reiterated that the government valued the observations raised by driver Ashok regarding agricultural matters. He stressed that government officials had never directed the bus operator's management to take disciplinary action against the driver.

The minister appealed to opposition parties to refrain from instrumentalising the issue for partisan purposes.