By Pramod Chaturvedi
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], September 24 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K. Taraka Rama Rao (KTR) on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led Telangana government, accusing it of betraying gig and platform workers by failing to implement the promises made under the Abhayahastam Declaration.
Speaking after a meeting with members of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) at Telangana Bhavan, KTR said it had become a "habit" for the Congress party to make tall promises for electoral gain and then ignore them once in power.
"The Congress party released a special declaration for gig workers during the election campaign, but after coming to power, they have completely forgotten about it," said KTR, addressing media persons.
The TGPWU delegation detailed the continued struggles faced by gig workers, highlighting that not a single promise made by Congress had been fulfilled so far. They sought the immediate establishment of a welfare board, social security benefits, fair wages, and compensation for families of workers who lost their lives on duty.
KTR strongly endorsed their demands and pledged that BRS would stand with the gig workers in their fight for justice. He reiterated his party's support for any special legislation brought in for the welfare of gig and platform workers.
The BRS leader specifically mentioned the tragic cases of Ahmed Bin Abdul Quder, Sham Sunder, and Lokurthi Naresh, whose families are still awaiting the Rs 5 lakh accidental insurance compensation promised by the government.
"Even after submitting all the required documents, their families are waiting in vain. Is this the respect Congress shows for those who served the people selflessly, even during the COVID pandemic?" KTR questioned.
He called it "shameful" that Congress, despite its public commitments, had not taken even the basic steps to support gig workers. KTR also reminded that Congress MP Rahul Gandhi himself had taken personal responsibility for the implementation of these promises.
"If Congress has even a shred of sincerity, they should immediately act on their own declaration. Gig workers' rights should not be limited to paper; ensuring their security, dignity, and livelihood is the moral and political responsibility of the government," KTR asserted.
KTR demanded the immediate formation of the Gig Workers Welfare Board, disbursal of compensation to bereaved families, and the introduction of laws that provide long-term protection to gig workers across Telangana.