Petition in HC seeks welfare schemes for auto drivers

The high court on Wednesday adjourned the hearing of a public interest litigation seeking directions to grant social welfare schemes and BDA sites to autorickshaw drivers saying that they also play an important role in public service.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Justice Aravind Kumar was hearing a petition filed by Somashekhar, a city-based auto driver, and Bangalore Auto Chalakara Soudhara Cooperative Limited, a society for welfare of auto drivers, who have moved the court highlighting the inaction on part of the state with regard to extending social welfare schemes to auto drivers.

The state has sought time to file objections which the court granted.

The petitioners submitted that though the state and the Central governments have several social welfare schemes for the citizens, most of them have not been extended to the auto drivers.

They also sought to cover the auto drivers under the Employees State Insurance scheme.

They contended that they have made several representations to the authorities concerned, however, no action has been taken.

The court adjourned the hearing by three weeks.