Hyderabad, April 24: The Telangana government announced a financial relief package of Rs 10 lakh for the bereaved family of Shankar Goud, a Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) driver who set himself ablaze during the ongoing employee strike and succumbed to his injuries on Friday morning, April 25, at Apollo DRDO Hospital, Hyderabad. The tragic death has intensified pressure on the state government to resolve the prolonged labour dispute.

Government Relief Package Announced

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar announced the relief measures, which include a cash assistance of Rs 10 lakh, a house under the Indiramma housing scheme, and a government job for one eligible member of Shankar Goud's family. The announcement came within hours of the driver's death, signalling the government's attempt to contain the political fallout from the tragedy.

Minister Prabhakar also appealed to the leaders of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of TGSRTC employees to take the initiative in ensuring that the final rites are conducted peacefully. He urged opposition parties to refrain from politicising the incident and to stand by the grieving family during this difficult time.

How Shankar Goud Died

Shankar Goud set himself on fire during a protest at the Narsampet depot in Warangal district on Thursday, April 24. He suffered 80 per cent burns and was rushed to Apollo DRDO Hospital in Hyderabad, where he passed away in the early hours of Friday. He had served at the Narsampet depot for 22 years, making his death a deeply personal blow to his colleagues.

The self-immolation is a stark escalation in the ongoing TGSRTC employee strike, which has been fuelled by long-standing demands over pay, service conditions, and job security. This is not the first time TGSRTC workers have resorted to extreme protest — the corporation has a troubled labour history dating back to the 2019 strike under the previous BRS government, which ended with mass terminations before eventual reinstatement.

Tension Over Last Rites

Family members and TGSRTC employees attempted to shift Shankar Goud's mortal remains to the Narsampet depot to pay homage, but were stopped by police, triggering tension in Muthojipet in Narsampet mandal. The standoff drew criticism from multiple political quarters.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar personally reached Muthojipet to support the family and questioned police over their decision to block the procession. He spoke directly with the Warangal Police Commissioner, arguing that Shankar Goud had served the depot for over two decades and that fellow employees deserved the right to pay their final respects.

Following talks between police officials, the deceased's family, and JAC leaders, the family agreed to perform the last rites without shifting the body to the depot. This decision defused the tense situation. Bandi Sanjay subsequently left Muthojipet, stating that the family's decision was final and must be respected.

Political Reactions and Opposition Pressure

Leaders of both the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expressed solidarity with the deceased's family and the striking TGSRTC employees. The involvement of a Union Minister at the site underscores the political sensitivity of the issue and the potential electoral implications for the ruling Congress government in Telangana.

Notably, the Congress party, which came to power in Telangana in December 2023 partly on promises of improving welfare for government employees, now faces scrutiny over its handling of the TGSRTC strike. Critics argue that the government's delayed response to employee grievances contributed to the conditions that led to this tragedy.

Broader Implications for TGSRTC Strike

The death of Shankar Goud is likely to intensify the TGSRTC employee agitation and could compel the state government to fast-track negotiations with the JAC. With opposition parties and a Union Minister already on the ground, the political cost of inaction has risen sharply.

The Telangana government is expected to hold fresh talks with TGSRTC employee unions in the coming days. The outcome of those negotiations will be closely watched, both as a test of the Congress government's commitment to labour welfare and as a signal of how it manages public sector unrest going forward.