The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) in Hyderabad is under pressure for not paying salaries to home guards working at their offices. Each home guard is supposed to receive over Rs 20,000 a month, but around 50 home guards in the Medchal and Ranga Reddy districts have not been paid since April.
These home guards are stationed at various RTA offices, including those in Uppal, Kukatpally, Medchal, and Ranga Reddy. The delay in salary payments has caused significant financial strain on them. One home guard from the Uppal RTA office, who wished to remain anonymous, shared that they have been forced into debt because they haven’t received their salaries for the past four months.
Another home guard, who requested to be identified as Ravikiran, mentioned that each home guard is owed about Rs 80,000 in back pay. He urged the officials to release the overdue salaries without any further delay. The home guards are particularly worried because the new academic year for their children has started, and they are facing additional financial pressure with upcoming festivals.
The delay in salary payments is reportedly due to the need for budgetary clearance. The home guards have been repeatedly visiting various offices seeking answers, but they still haven’t received any clear response. Some of them have had to borrow money at high interest rates or even pawn jewelry to manage household expenses.
M Dayanand, the general secretary of the Telangana Auto and Motor Welfare Union, highlighted that the home guards are going through a tough time due to the non-payment of their salaries. He pointed out that the issue had occurred last year as well, when salaries were delayed for a few months. It is believed that the funds meant for salaries might have been diverted to other government schemes.
Despite their struggles, the home guards are hesitant to demand their salaries openly, fearing it could affect their careers. Meanwhile, an official from the Transport Department assured that the outstanding payments would be cleared soon, as the matter is currently being discussed by higher authorities.
