write a report on following. Auto rikshaw drivers on strike
Answers
Jalandhar, January 8
A big protest was organised by auto-rickshaw drivers in the city today, badly hitting many commuters. The protest was against the increased amount of money added to the challan that the auto drivers have to pay to get permit to drive in the city locations and CNG (compressed natural gas) fuel to be installed in the auto-rickshaws.
The strike began at 7 in the morning and continued till the evening. The auto drivers marched in different areas like the bus stand, railway station, Jyoti Chowk, Nakodar and other areas where a lot of people board autos for commuting. Kartarpur and Nakodar sub-divisions were also part of the strike.
The auto union president, Ravish Aggarwal, said there was anger among auto drivers regarding the authorities forcing them to have the CNG-operated auto-rickshaws at a short notice and also the cancelling of their permit.
The Traffic police have already diverted so many routes for the auto-rickshaws and have also limited their routes. Auto-drivers had to earlier pay Rs 2,000 a month. Now, according to the new orders, Rs 3,000 is to be charged from them.
Also, many auto drivers claimed that the traffic police was telling them to get the CNG fuel installed in their autos, but there were a few CNG fuel stations in the city, said Davinder Singh, an auto driver.
Meanwhile, the drivers said they welcomed the orders of the High Court, but the state government should come forward to listen to their grievances and resolve their issue.
We have diesel-operated engines in our autos and suddenly shifting to the CNG engines is adding extra burden to our expenses. The authorities should look into the matter and provide 0 per cent loan on new CNG-driven auto-rickshaws. Moreover, subsidies should also be provided to them, said auto-rickshaw driver Ajay Kumar.
Mumbai, Feb 15: Around one lakh auto rickshaw drivers in Mumbai have gone on a one-day strike in the city causing inconvenience to over a million commuters. The strike is to display their displeasure against the current working phenomenon of private cars and buses in the city. It is also a protest against the Regional Transport Office’s decision to increase renewal charges for autos and taxi permits. The permit which now costs Rs 200 will be raised to Rs 15,000. Taxis are also believed the join the strike soon. The Mumbai Auto Rickshaw Taximen’s Union head by Shashank Rao called for the day-long strike on February 15. (Also Read: Auto-drivers on strike against cab aggregators, junked Hakim panel)
Auto drivers are also of the opinion that cab services like Ola and Uber are also affecting their business. Private illegal buses are also a trouble for the auto drivers. However, State transport commissioner Shyam Wardhane warned the auto union against going on a trike and issued order to let private cars and buses be used as public transport on Monday. To compensate for autos, BEST general manager Jagdish Patil said they will ply extra buses in the city.
Auto drivers have been on strike in the past with similar demands, however there has been no concrete solution to their issues. Meanwhile, other auto unions in Mumbai are not in complete support of the strike. Nitesh Rane, head of Swabhimaan Auto Union said that although they support the demands of the strike, they would not stay off roads. K K Tiwari who heads the Swabhimaan Sanghatana Union said that they are in support of the strike. Times of India quoted another auto union led by Thampy Kurien who said, “We do not support the strike and will try to ply autos on share routes.”